Social identity Theory

Social Identity Theory

The psychological theory that explains how people's sense of self is built through their group memberships.

Perception of Non-identifiers

According to Social Identity Theory, individuals who do not identify in the same way as the in-group are viewed and labeled as others

Categorization

is the process of setting people apart based on how they were raised and which groups they do not identify with; it is necessary because a group cannot exist without defining what it is.

Identification

The process where an individual decides how they want to be seen or referred to (e.g., as a man, woman, or non-binary)

social comparison

is the process of evaluating people more closely linked to our identity and categorization against those who are not.

what is positive distinction?

Positive distinction refers to the process of highlighting the unique and favorable characteristics of a particular group compared to others, building self esteem

Psychological Real-Life Example

A student identifying with a sports team sees teammates as "us" and rivals as "others"; their pride in their team’s talent versus others demonstrates categorization, identification, and comparison

Explain how Social Identity Theory can lead to stereotypes (4 marks)

1. Categorization: People categorize themselves and others into groups (in-groups and out-groups)

2. Identification: People identify with their in-group and view themselves positively

3. Out-group Perception: Those outside the group are viewed as "others"

4. Overgeneralization: Out-group members are overgeneralised, leading to the formation of stereotypes

Describe the role of categorization in the development of stereotypes (4 marks)

1. Process: Categorization involves placing people into social groups

2. Simplification: It simplifies social information for the individual

3. Out-group Homogeneity: People see members of other groups as more similar to each other than they actually are

4. Fixed Beliefs: This creates fixed and oversimplified beliefs (stereotypes) about those groups

Explain how comparison in Social Identity Theory can increase stereotyping (4 marks)

1. In-group/Out-group Comparison: People compare their own group to outside groups

2. Positive Distinction: Individuals want their in-group to appear more favorable to boost self-esteem

3. Negative Bias: Out-groups may be viewed more negatively to enhance in-group status

4. Formation: These biased negative comparisons lead to the establishment of stereotypes

Explain how identification can contribute to stereotyping (4 marks)

1. Self-Concept: Identification involves seeing oneself as an integral part of a specific group

2. Group Membership: This membership becomes a core part of the individual's self-identity

3. Trait Assignment: Positive traits are associated with the in-group

4. Stereotyping: Negative or simplified traits are applied to out-groups to distinguish them from the in-group