social identity theory Flashcards
what is social categorisation?
People consider themselves as members of a particular group forming an in-group/outgroup dynamic.
give a strength of in-group/out-group. how good?
Tajfel - showed that a group of school boys gave the highest number of points to members of their own group. lacks generalisbity. high ecological validity.
define social identification. give a limitation/comparison.
When people actively adopt the identity of a group and consider themselves belonging to it. typically changes in attitude, appearance and behaviour to be statistically frequent within the in-group. can lead to new self concept/identification.
doesn’t consider social norms, if people behave in a way that is statistically infrequent they are most likely will be discriminated against.
what is social comparison.
when people actively ridicule the out-group to boost self esteem. they favour themselves above the out group. ingroup is deemed as superior in the quest for positive distinctiveness. can lead to discrimination towards the out group.
give research to support social comparison. how good?
Aronson and Osherwon. children at school were told that people with ‘blue’ eyes were better. this lead to prejudice against ‘brown’ eyed people. low generalisability as young sample of school children.
describe an out-group.
inferior group that are stereotypes to not be as good as the ‘in-group’ resulting in actions going against their own moral codes.
what is the application of this theory.
Reduced football hooliganism by bringing organisations together for a charity event where the best players from different teams are win one team against celebrities to raise money for a worthy cause. so no in-group out group discrimination.
define prejudice.
preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
define discrimination
when you act on prejudice based off stereotypes and treat someone differently because of it. ie crossing the road when approaching someone in a hoodie.
what is social identification
adopting beliefs, values and attitudes of the group they belong to. altering behaviour to fit with norms.
give research to support
Lalonde (1992)
Studied a hockey team with poor performance and asked them about it, and the players claimed that it was down to other teams using “dirtier” tactics – however, Lalonde observed several of the team’s matches and concluded that the opponents’ teams were not using “dirtier” tactics, and so he had come across in-group bias from the poor team
