Drury et al (2009)- socio- Social Identity Theory, Ethical Considerations in the Study of the Individual and the Group

Question 1

Social Categorization Theory

Answer 1

our natural tendency to identify with groups. Through social categorization, we identify with a group and have a sense of belonging

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate whether shared social identity influences helping behavior in a simulated emergency situation.

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

used an independent samples design with university students who took part in a virtual reality simulation of a fire in the London Underground. Before the simulation, participants read a news article about a real metro fire and imagined the scene to make the scenario feel real.

Participants were assigned to two groups

1.identification condition (imagining themselves as England football fans together)

2.individual-identification condition (imagining themselves alone after a shopping trip).

In the simulation, they had to escape the fire and could choose to help others or push past them. To reinforce group identity, those in the group condition saw VR characters wearing the same color vests; in the individual condition, vests were different colors.

Question 4

Results

Answer 4

It was found that those participants with a high in-group identification gave more help and pushed others less than those who did not have in-group identification. Crowd size did not affect the amount of help given.

Question 5

Independent Samples Design

Answer 5

Different participants take part in different conditions. Results are compared between groups, not within the same person.

Advantage:
No order effects, since each person only does one condition.