Three Theories Of The Nature Of Social Identity Theory

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.

Society has a way of making assumptions based on one’s physical characteristics. Often at times we categorize individuals to a particular social group. In regard to society’ perception of an individual this however, contributes to the development of social construction of racism. Most people want to be identified as individuals rather than a member of specific social group. As a result, our social identity contains different categories or components that were influenced or imposed. For example, I identify as a, Jamaican, Puerto Rican and a person of color. I identify racially as a person of color and ethically as Jamaican and Puerto Rican. According to Miller and Garren it’s a natural human response for people to make assumptions solely

No matter how much a person desires to live according to their personal autonomy, he or she will never escape the influence of societal forces. Explicitly or subtlety, these forces shape our individuality. One intriguing manner that these societal forces manifests itself in is our name. As Ruth Graham writes, “It’s becoming increasingly clear today that names carry a wealth of information about the world around us, the family we arrived in, the moment we were born—and that they mark us as part of cultural currents bigger than we realize.” Names alone provide evidence that individuals are made by interactions with social institutions and groups. Ultimately, the inescapable nature of society’s influence demands individuals to ponder how much personal autonomy is actually autonomous and to what extent does the pursuit of personal autonomy lead to a life of emptiness and vanity.

Being a part of a social group with people who I share a common identity and interact regularly with impacts me because those people who I am in a social group with expect me to match certain ways of thinking and acting within that specific group as highlighted in Chapter 6. For instance, a social group I am a part of is the SNAP Organization for nursing students, and how I think, act, and bring ideas during my conversations with my fellow nursing students are mainly associated with nursing.

Cobourg is a small town with about 18,520 people; this town is known for hockey between both men and female leagues. In this small, suburban town, hockey is a shared interest among the teenage age group and some of these teenagers are a part of the female rep hockey league. This social group often treat each other like they are a big family, almost like they are each other support system. This social group causes social solidarity within this town, making the group distinct from others. A Social group is formed when individuals come together and express the same interest, which forms a bond between the group. The social group contributes to different diversities joining the group which leads to life long friends. From my experience, being a member of a social group contributed to the discovery of my self identity and individuality.

Social identity theory proposed by Tajfel & Turner (2004) is a theory of group membership and behaviour which has made significant contributions in explaining in-group favouritism, out-group denigration, competition and other interactions of an individual among social groups (Korte, 2007; Brown, 2000; Tajfel & Turner, 2004). Social identity theory can be defined as an individual’s sense of who they are based on the group that they belong to through a process of self-categorisation and depersonalisation (Tajfel & Turner, 2004). In this essay, I will define social identity theory through its three mental processes involved in group evaluation which are: social identification which is a process whereby we are placed into certain

Theoretically significant to conflict is social identity theory. It allows “predictions to incorporate who is likely to perceive and act in group terms, to remain committed to the group in times of crisis” Turner (1999), Doosje & Ellemers, (1999). Bar-Tal stresses conflict exists when an incompatible goal exists between two groups. The question of when incompatibility sets become important in understanding the cause of inter-ethnic or communal conflicts for instance, even more importantly; conflict within ingroup. Inter-ethnic or communal conflict because within the scope of peacebuilding, that is the point where building peace thrives the most. There is an assumption that for peacebuilding to be

Personal identity is essential in the human experience. Identity is complex and can be broken down into two main groups: introspective identity, and bodily identity. Introspective identity is based off of the groups, mentalities, or beliefs that you align yourself with, and bodily identity is based off of the physical side of yourself. Whether physical or introspective, your identity impacts every action you take. Whether choices ranging from what colors you prefer to which college you want to attend are primarily based off of your introspective identity, which is a combination of both memory and consciousness, physical identity impacts how others perceive you. Consciousness is mainly the awareness of bodily identity as well as continuous introspective identify, while memory is awareness of introspective identity. These two different facets of identity are imperative in the distinction between bodily identity and introspective identity. In means of personal identity introspective identity (which is evident in memory), is essential, while bodily identity (based partially in consciousness) has less credit.

Firstly, human being evolved differently from other animals, because they were able to create social institutions that established no only the code of conducts but also has set the roles for individuals in groups. Thanks to this classification humans were able to collectively ensure the subsistence of each member of the group, Therefore, the necessity of becoming a member of group could be ascribed to the human instinct related to the need of

My family shaped my personal and social identity at a micro level by being the first set of influencers the moment I was born. My personal identity is significantly influenced by my family through the approach that my parents have taken to raise and nurture me. The results of my parents raising me is shown through the behaviour and beliefs that I embody. For example, because of my family I have always been aware that there is a God. In consequence, my compliant behaviour towards religion has already been constructed at a young age. Moreover, my social identity’s structure was shaped by my family through they way they have socially interacted with me. My micro level interactions with my family throughout time has created a deeply rooted influence within me. The influence that my family has had on my social identity is demonstrated in the way that I respond in certain social situations. For example, through behavioural observation as a child I have learned not to speak back to my parents when they are lecturing me.

Who are you? Who am I? These are questions that we all ponder at some point or another in our lives. As human beings we are seemingly inundated with the desire to classify and categorise. We are constantly defining and analysing the differences that we observe in the world, it seems only natural that we would apply this method of classification to our position within our society. More specifically, we want to understand our social identities and this can be achieved by acknowledging which groups we identify most with.

One of the effective base for the individual’s commitment toward groups comes from social identity. It is the feeling being a part of a community and to believe that individual is helping to fulfil the mission as a part of the group. The feeling of belonging from the member makes individual to feel of serving the group in further purposes. Identity based attachment makes user to feel attached and connected to the group.

I am writing to compare two articles from two different sources. I will be exploring the key concepts of identity, identification, place and social memory and how theses sociological concepts are displayed within the articles.

In the majority of organizations and groups alike, the team aspect is the most controlling. Therefore, when a part of a group, others expect one to act in accordance with the group. This not only strengthens the bond between the members, but strengthens the group 's reputation in that one person is similar to a representative of a community. In order to become a member of these special groups, one must give a little of their personal reputation. This involves “Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sexual acts are hazing practices common across all types of student groups” (“Center”). After partaking in any of these, the individual earns their place in the group which comes along with the benefits of the team. This gives them a, “confidence that their mates will support them through college and after” (Fine). The support through college becomes much needed due to the fact that this is when one grows up mentally and physically and can be challenging to do this on one’s own. The new members to the group give up some of their dignity and ego to bring the group together as a whole. Moreover, members in the groups also must trust that the others have done the same. When one fulfills trust, the mutual benefits start. All of this comes back to central identity, when an individual sacrifice their own

According to Hecht (2015), the “Communication Theory of Identity” began with the study of “self” (p. 176), which found its origins in philosophy (Mead, 1913) and, more modernly, in psychology and sociology (Hecht, 2015, p. 176). The focus on individualism began as early as the 1950’s under the constructs of self-esteem and self-concepts when questions arose about how people thought and/or felt about themselves. Scholars believed that understanding how individuals thought and felt about themselves would pave the way to better understand how people communicate. When scholars referred to “self” in a singular form it assumed that an individual had one single identity. The problem with this perspective is that, as found later, people assume a “layered” identity. For example, an athlete may be hard working on the basketball court, but aggressive and self-protected on the streets of Richmond, California. The more modern study of “self” in the disciplines of psychology and sociological describes “self” as forming from social interactions and perceptions of others. For example, how key adults such as teachers, coaches, and/or church leaders influence a child’s development. Over time, the term “self” became the term “identity. “Identity” draws on the sociological “social role theory” that detailed how people define themselves through the roles they play in society. Veering away from “self” and assuming the “identity” approach presented a more complex and precise depiction of people