social identity theory (SIT)

social identity theory

theory of intergroup conflict → describes how a person’s sense of self is shaped by group membership

aims to predict when

individuals view themselves as an individual or member of a group

considers

consequences of individual and social identities on group membership

components include

social categorization, in-groups, out-groups, positive distinctiveness

social categorization

grouping people based on group membership → “us” VS “them” thinking

in-group favoritism

demonstrating behaviour that favours one’s in group

out-group discrimination

demonstrating behaviour that disadvantages one’s out group

positive distinctiveness

desire to make one’s in-group appear ‘better’ than one’s out group → maintenance of a positive social identity

social comparision

comparing in- and out-groups for accurate self-evaluation

study

Tajfel - Klee and Kandinsky