Social Identity Theory - Tajfel et al Flashcards
Social identity theory
Strong desire to belong
Derive from self esteem through group membership and acceptance by others
What’s social behaviour driven by
Motivation to maintain positive sense of self as a valued member of society
Social categorisation
Sorting people into group
In group = belonging
Out group = compromises anyone not in ingroup
Existence of outgroup causes prejudice
Social identification
See yourself as belonging to the group
Outwards changes = altering behaviour to fit with group norms
Inward changes = change to self concept as new social identity forms
Social comparisons
To engineer positive social comparison you say nice things about ur group bad things about out group
Ingroup is seen as superior and outgroup inferior
Positive distinctiveness
Desire to see in group as better
Differences between groups are emphasised and similarities are minimised
Cognitive process may lead to
Prejudice = perception of out group as inferior
Discrimination = treating out group member different based on unfavourable views of group
Strength
Tajfel
Told boys which other behaved like them (which chose same painting)
Boys gave points later to each other
More points given to ingroup
Outgroup points maximised even if it reduced total for ingroup
Social categorisation is sufficient to trigger in group favouritism and discrimination against out group
CA
Privately allocating points lacks mundane realism
Discrimination isnt this covalent
We are less discriminatory in real life = social consequences
Weakness
Wetherell
Replicated Tajfel
New zealand
Polynesian children more generous than white
SIT is ethnocentric
Application
Fein and spencer 1997
Manipulated students self esteem
Low self-esteem rated jewish job applicants less than italian applicant
Self esteem raised and reduced jewish prejudice
Prejudice can be reduced by implementing policies targeting low self esteem
