Noor Mohsin, IB1A, Psychology HL

2011-05-09

Social identity theory (Q 7)

The social identity theory (SIT) is a theory in which the simple definition of it is; it asserts that group membership creates in-group/self-categorization and enhancement in ways that favor the in-group at the expense of the out-group. In this essay I am going to explain and evaluate the social identity theory, with studies a support. According to Tajfel (1981) social identity is that part of the individuals self-concept which derives from their knowledge of membership of a social group, together with the value and emotional significance of that membership. He claims that there are three assumptions to SIT: 1. We strive to improve our self-image and enhancing our self-esteem by two ways: either by personal achievement or by affiliation with successful groups. 2. Human process of social categorization (schemas, categorizing people). 3. Social comparison (in-group favoritism, out-group discrimination). He also conducted a study in which Bristol schoolboys were assigned at random to one of two meaningless groups. They believed they had been assigned on the basis they had either overestimated or underestimated dots shown on a screen. Tajfel found that individual members would not allocate more points to their own group but would often maximize the difference between the two groups even if it meant their own group receiving fewer points overall. From this one can see the in-group/out-group difference. Another study conducted by Reicher (1984) dealt with studying the riots in the mainly AfroCaribbean area of St Pauls in Bristol in 1981. The riots were triggered by a police raid on a local business in an area of increasing racial tension. Reicher focused mainly on the targets of the rioting. The targets of the violence were very specific, for example banks, local authority (government) buildings and police cars were attacked, whilst nearby houses, community buildings and local shops were not. Contrary to popular belief that the riots reflected a random mob mentality, Reicher argued that the rioting was a result of the local population reasserting their social identity when it was threatened by the action of the police. They only attacked outgroup targets - anyone or thing that represented authority. Reicher reported an increase in sense of identity and community pride after the riots. According to Brown (1986), it is normal for boys at that age in Tajfels study to compete with each other when being handed a task from an adult, since they are expecting themselves to actually feel and behave that way. Also, people will always continue to categorize themselves, in
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Noor Mohsin, IB1A, Psychology HL

2011-05-09

order to find their own place in the world. What they do is that they identify themselves with people who are similar to them and stay with them to feel security. Since people have an inbuilt tendency to categorize themselves into one or more in groups, they build a part of their identity on the bases of membership of that group and enforcing boundaries with other groups. Taifels theory has its limitations though. This theory describes human behavior, but it cannot predict it. It determines how it can be, but not that it is like that for all. It also fails to address the environment in the concept of cultural expectations or getting rewards as a motivation. It can vary from culture to culture how a person acts in an in-group/out-group categorization, and one cannot always predict that a person from a specific culture is meant to act a specific way, it depends on the individual only. It also has societal constrains, for example when it comes to terms and how to express them without being judgmental. Although it has its strengths, since people in this world normally that cant handle being alone since they start feeling insecure or scared. SIT is the explanation to why people behave in a specific way when it comes to groups and categorization. We put others into different categories to feel secure with whom we are and so we create the in-group and the out-group. We identify ourselves to others and change our perceptions of others as well. In conclusion, we can say that the SIT is the theory of how people behave in different events regarding in-groups and out-groups, which they favor and how those categorize people according what they believe. We know that members of the in-group think that they are the better ones and therefore grade themselves higher than the out-group. Although it has its limitations regarding the fact that one can only describe and not predict human behavior, one knows the explanation to why people behave the way they do. It is the simple process of identifying your-self with others, in order to feel secure and being able to survive in this world, by improving you own self-image and self-esteem.