Social Identity Theory: Annotated Bibliography

A social identity forms when “an individual ties his or her self-concept to a collective or role” (Ashforth, Harrison, & Corley, 2008). A social identity is one that is shared by members and distinguished by groups, and members define themselves and enable others to define them based on the groups to which they belong (Miscenko & Day, 2015). A person’s social identity relates to their sense of self-worth, as “people attach positive value to their identities” (Miscenko & Day, 2015). An individual uses their social identity to affirm their self-concept through their social peers, seeking confirmation by “expressing identity relevant behavior central to role definition” (Miscenko & Day, 2015). Social identities are also used for self-enhancement by confirming both “positive and negative aspects of identity” and “striving to promote only

Conclusion: The study Demonstrated that people seek a positive social identity and that their social identity is affected by being a part of their group so that you are more positive towards anything that your own group represents.

The third phase of the Social identity theory is comparison. This involves comparing the in-groups that you are a part of with out-groups in order to raise self-esteem (Burke, Stets,2000). Social groups naturally strive to be positively differentiated from other groups (Mummenfey, Kessler, Link, Mielke, 1999). In order to achieve this positive differentiation and boost in self- esteem, the in-group and out-group are judged on factors that represent the in-group to be superior to the out-group (Burke, Stets,2000). To enhance the position and status of the in-group, discrimination and prejudice will be shown towards the out-group.

In chapter one's reading, there are many course concepts that caught my interest. The first concept that caught my eye was socialization. Difference Matters by Brenda J. Allen defines socialization as “how we are taught how to behave in the world” (Allen, 2011, p.12). We are taught socialization by our family members, teachers, peers, and the media. Children taught socialization will find their own personal social identity in society. When taught this they will think that it is real and natural for these actions to apply to them. Family members, teachers, peers, and media teach children to act a certain way in society. In doing this they will learn how to function as a respected and accepted member of their culture. For example, in my own personal life, my grandmother always told me to eat like a lady at the table. Eating like a lady included taking small bites, sitting straight up in your chair, chewing with your mouth shut, and never speaking with your mouth full. My grandmother was a southern lady she also taught me that ladies had a task to do around the home. Ladies made dinner, set the table, and cleaned up after the meal. I was always by her side absorbing everything she showed me. While the women cleaned up after dinner; my father, grandfather, and other men at the table would leave to talk or watch television. I never questioned my grandmother or the other women in my family why the men did not have to help clean up. My family was teaching me socialization and I did not even realize it. The next course concept that grabbed my attention was social identity theory. Allen describes this as “human tendency to label self and others based on individual and group identity” (Allen, 2011, p. 11). One could also describe this course concept as a group contently comparing their

Social identity theory states that the ‘in-group’ will discriminate against the ‘out-group’ and show favouritism towards their group to boost their self-esteem. Tajfel also proposed that there are 3 mental processes involved in putting people in to the ‘us’ and ‘them’ groups: social categorisation (putting objects in order to understand them), social identification (adopting the identity of the group we categorised ourselves as belonging to) and social comparison (showing favouritism towards the ‘in group’ and hostility towards the ‘out group’; comparing them).

Social identity theory is a person’s sense of who they are based on their group membership(s) (Harwood, 2007). “In social identity theory and identity theory, the self is reflexive in that it can take itself as an object and can categorize, classify, or name itself in particular ways in relation to other social categories or classification” (Stets & Burke, 2000). The social identity theory has been known to let individuals find their own niche and group that they want to belong to. This could include what the individuals are active in or involved in. Research has also found that the groups that they classify themselves in can cause the participants to look down upon other groups that they are not involved in (Harwood, 2007). Negative attitudes are more of a complex issue, but interesting ideas come from explanations that emerge for social identity theory (Harwood,

The acquiring of this knowledge is what leads to us gaining our identity. Social action theorists suggest that there are three main parts to our identity. The first of these parts is the things that make us individual, such as name, signature and photograph. The second aspect is social identity, which is made up of the personality characteristics that are associated with our role in society. For example, I am seen as an older brother, which society may make me out to be annoying and protective of my younger sibling, but I am also seen as a student, who is perceived to be hard-working and well-behaved. The final part of our identity is the concept of ‘self’, or what we think of ourselves, and how we think we play our respective roles.

This theory looks at how we present ourselves in social situations in terms of our identity.

However, for group identity it applies to more than one person it is a group of people that share similar characteristics and beliefs with each other. Essentially, one identifies themselves and others through multiple “labels” or “categories” such as age, skin color, and culture. Like so with an identification card, it lists gender, hair color, eye color, and height. It demonstrations the physical features of a person that are associated with identity. But identity touches upon much more than just appearances, it is also composed of personal beliefs, intellect that other people can relate, because it comes from within the deepest part of your brain. The mind’s consciousness and unconsciousness makes up the choices and actions of your behavior. Even your parents whom gave birth to the individual you have developed into doesn’t know everything about you, it is just impossible. Comparable to a machine, it’s impossible to discern every nut and bolt it is made of unless you are there and scrutinize the inside. Your parents can’t go inside your brain and dissect what it is made of, because it will kill you. Each person’s unique identity contains aspects that are gained from experience and beliefs influenced by the people around them, there can never be a person to live life exactly like another, therefore no two persons can be

Further, identity is constructed by drawing boundaries: One boundary that is the same as others and one that is different from everyone else. Self-categorization is the first classification in which one identifies with the characteristics shared by those with whom one psychologically belongs. This is referred to “identifying as”, connoting a perceived self-location in a group. This self-identification can be based on a number of things, such as biology, culture, religion, and ethnicity, and can be both optional and imposed. The second classification is “identification with”, which underscores the potential significance of shared values, often outside of those that are sociologically similar. This also entails learning a group’s defining customs, expectations, and values, and making them one’s own. These core values and ideas make up the third component of identity, which is content. The unique content of a group identity is socially constructed because it is these consensual decisions that shape and reinforce the accepted criteria for membership in the group. While social identities are not automatically political, they can be politicized when

The social identity theory is a theory developed by Henry Tajfel, in which Tajfel believes that who we are socially determines how many positive feelings we have towards ourselves. Basically, if we like where we stand socially, then we will like who we are and display happiness. In this theory, Tajfel labels the “in group” and the “out group” and says that we will always compare our “in group” to another’s “out group.” By comparing these groups, we develop a better personal view on ourselves (King, 2009). A big factor of the social identity theory is that the groups will tend to critique the differences of the groups, and overlook the similarities. A modern day example of the social identity theory would be your everyday high school cheerleaders versus band members. The cheerleaders think of themselves as the queen bees of the school,

One could argue that this then inflates our sense of belonging in the world if we feel that there are others who share similar values to us. This then strengthens our resolve by essentially confirming that we are engaging in the right behaviours and holding the right ideals as we associate ourselves with others who feel the same as we do. This then leads them to strengthen our tenacity of in-group favouritism by rewarding our prejudiced behaviours. A positive outcome of this is that it can have a flow on effect to our altruistic nature as human beings and we would be more likely to help those with whom we feel a certain affiliation. It is in this regard that the Social Identity Theory can yield positive results through a framework of philanthropic behaviour and support for in-group members. The converse of this behaviour is that we see an increase in negative behaviours towards those with whom we feel have conflicting goals and essentially belong to an “out group”.

Social Identity Theory has a considerable impact on social psychology. It is tested in a wide range of

Social identity theory, it is a person’s sense that is based around the group they are in, either by their personal identity or with different kinds of social identities. That is, people will try to improve their own image of themselves. The theory was proposed by Henri Tajfel. People can increase their self-esteem by both their own achievement and interaction with a successful group of people. This shows the importance of social belonging. This theory is based around three mental processes, social categorization, social identification and social comparison.

This particular theory views identity as conditional and self motivated as well as being related to one’s culture. Although other theories on identity consider the personal and social identity to be separate, SCT considers the personal and social identity to be