Social Identity Theory Definitions

Question 1

Social Identity Theory

Answer 1

Social Identity Theory states that people have several social selves which correspond with group membership. We categorize ourselves into groups to know what value we have in social contexts. Involves social categorization, identification, and comparison.

Question 2

Minimal group paradigm

Answer 2

States that the minimal condition for in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination is simply categorization into a group, no matter how arbitrary the criteria is.

Question 3

Social categorization

Answer 3

Classifying people into groups based on similar characteristics.

Question 4

Social identification

Answer 4

Process of deciding that we belong to a group, and adopting norms and characteristics of that group.

Question 5

Social comparison

Answer 5

Comparing our in-group and our out-group to find benefits of belonging to the in-group versus the out-group.

Question 6

Positive distinctiveness

Answer 6

Occurs in social comparison to find benefits of being in the in-group as a means to justify group membership.

Question 7

Salience

Answer 7

How noticeable or important one’s group membership is.

Question 8

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 8

Discomfort experienced when faced with conflicting beliefs, leading to a motivation to reduce the inconsistency.