Social identity theory

Question 1

Who came up with the theory?

Answer 1

Tajfel

Question 2

What is the basic belief of SIT?

Answer 2

The perception of another group is enough to cause discrimination

Question 3

What happens in SIT?

Answer 3

Classify ourselves into in groups and out groups

Question 4

What is the first stage of SIT?

Answer 4

Social categorisation - categorise ourselves as part of an in group and others as a part of other out groups

Question 5

What is the second stage of SIT?

Answer 5

Social identification - take aspects of the in group and incorporate them into our own identity - e.g opinions and attitudes

Question 6

What is the third stage of SIT?

Answer 6

Social comparison - make unfair and negative comparisons to the out group to increase in group self esteem

Question 7

What may occur in social comparison?

Answer 7

• In group favouritism - see all in group members as favourable
• Negative out group bias - view out group members as unfavourable
• lead to prejudice towards out group and discrimination may occur

Question 8

Strengths

Answer 8

• Research evidence - Sherif - 2 groups showed prejudice before competition was introduced - e.g called other group ‘stinkers’ and themselves as ‘brave’ and ‘friendly’
• Usefulness - can be used to explain behaviours - e.g football fans being violent to increase their self esteem

Question 9

Weakness

Answer 9

Reductionist and deterministic - overlooks individual differences in that some people have more agency than others and may be less likely to be discriminatory because of other factors such as their upbringing and morals