soical psycho 7

docx

School

King's Own Institute *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

100

Subject

Sociology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

1

Uploaded by ishtiaqahmed0035

Report
What is Social Identity Theory? Answer: Psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner studied the effects of group membership on self- perception. They formulated social identity theory, which seeks to explain the relationship between group membership and the reinforcement of individual qualities such as pride and self-esteem. According to Tajfel and Turner, individuals gravitate toward groups that are composed of people they admire or with whom they agree on important matters. Group members perceive themselves, at least in part, through the lens of their membership; they see themselves reflected by other members. People who belong to groups are linked and governed by similarities. Group members’ self-identity is based on the shared attitudes, beliefs, and moral standards of the group. This explains why individuals in a group might act differently than they would act if they did not belong to the group. They behave as they believe a member of the group should behave, rather than acting out of personal motivation. Another aspect of social identity theory is the tendency toward tribalism, or embracing “in-groups” while rejecting “out-groups.” The group socialization of an individual takes place in stages, according to Tajfel and Turner: Categorization — Separating individuals based on characteristics such as ethnicity, occupation, or belief system Social identification — Adopting the characteristics of a particular group Social comparison — Seeking to draw favorable contrasts with other groups Once individuals have thoroughly established their self-perception based on membership in an “in- group,” their mindset and behavior begin to reflect the expectations of the group. In this way, individual social identity is sublimated to the group. Personal identity is exchanged for a sense of belonging, safety, and well-being.
Discover more documents: Sign up today!
Unlock a world of knowledge! Explore tailored content for a richer learning experience. Here's what you'll get:
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help