SIT (Tajfel & Turner)

Question 1

Introduction of SIT (Social identity theory (SIT) refers to people’s sense of…)

Answer 1

Social identity theory (SIT) refers to people’s sense of themselves depending on the groups that they are in.

Question 2

4 main concepts of SIT

Answer 2

This consists of 4 main concepts (social categorisation, social identity, social comparison and positive distinctiveness).

Question 3

Social categorisation

Answer 3

Separating in-groups and out-groups based on how we perceive these groups

Question 4

Social identity:

Answer 4

Adopting specific behaviours of an in-group that favours the characteristics of that group

Question 5

Social comparison

Answer 5

Contrasting the beliefs, attitudes, behaviours of your in-group to other out-groups to maintain self-esteem

Question 6

Positive distinctiveness

Answer 6

Showing favouritism towards your in-group compared to others out-groups (in-group attractiveness)

Question 7

Explain SIT (in-group, out-group)

Answer 7

This includes the explanation for the difference between people’s in-group (a social group which you identify with) and out-group (groups that you don’t identify with) behaviours.

Question 8

Aim of Tajfel

Answer 8

The aim of this study was to investigate SIT within randomly allocated groups- whether social categorisation would have an effect on intergroup behaviour when individuals are located to either an in-group or out-group depending on minimal characteristics.

Question 9

Procedure of Tajfel

Answer 9

The procedure included 48 British 14-15 year old boys who were randomly allocated to different groups based on their preference of Klee or Kadinsky paintings.

Each participant was asked to give virtual money to members in different groups based on 3 schemes-

1. Max joint profit- largest reward for both groups
2. Max in-group- largest reward for in-group
3. Max difference- largest possible difference between in and out-group

They were only notified of the boy’s group membership and a code number that was assigned to them.

Question 10

Findings of Tajfel

Answer 10

The results showed that in-group favouritism was the most common → wanted to max. difference

Majority gave money to their own in-group

Question 11

How does Tajfel link to SIT?

Answer 11

This study supports SIT theory → participants behaviour orginated based on their idea of the in-groups and out-groups, which demonstrates positive distinctiveness (favouring the in-group, even when these characteristics are minimal), SIT applies to real world and how in-groups can form prejudice towards an out-group even without any pre-existing conflict