Unit 3 Psych - Social identity theory

What is social identity theory?

Theory that argues that a person has more than 1 social self depending on group

Different identities can be active in different moments

What are the 3 main parts of Social Identity Theory?

Social categorisation, Social identification, Social comparison

What is Social Categorisation (including purpose & effect)?

Definition: Categorising people as in-group (us) or out-group (them)

Purpose: Simplify social world, and assigns people an identity

Effect: Creates in group & out groups

What is social identification (including purpose & effect)?

Definition: Adopting social norms from in-group

Purpose: Create a sense of belonging & identify with in - group

Effect: Being apart of group effects how we see ourselves (self concept), increase loyalty 7 emotional attachment to group

What is social comparison (including purpose and effect)?

Definition: Comparing in group to out group

Purpose: Increase self-esteem by making your in-group appear better than out-group

Effect: In group bias, out - group stereotyping, Out-group homogeneity (seeing all out group members as the same)

What is category salience (example included)?

Your Identity depending on the context that you are in

Example: In a Manchester United game, your Football identity is salient

Describe the study of Levine et al (social identity theory)

Aim: investigate effect of in-group bias on helping

Procedure: Male Manchester United players, walking across campus & seeing injured confederate (Liverpool shirt, neutral shirt, Man United Shirt)

Conclusion: More males favoured in-group than out group

Apply Levine et all to Social identity theory

Social categorisation: Participant categorised confederate as in-group (Man u fan) or out group (Liverpool fan)

Social identification: Strong Manchester united fans felt more connected with other in group members

Social comparison: In-group bias shown by helping man u fans more compared to Liverpool fans