Social identity theory (Tajfel)

• Social identity theory


  Prejudice can arise from the mere existence of another group
• Social categorisation 


  In group is the group we see ourselves in. (Me vs us). Tajfel and Turner 1979 argue it’s a basic characteristic of human thought - mere existence of an outgroup is enough to bring about prejudice and discrimination between ‘them’ vs ‘us’
• Social identification


  Individuals adopting the beliefs, values and attitudes of the groups they are in. They alter their behaviour to fit in w social norms of group. Also includes a shift in thinking and involves a large change to his or her self concept
• Social comparison


  Boost his/ her self esteem through making comparisons between in and outgroup. So comparisons may not be objective.
• Social comparison 2

  we may percieve the ingroup as superior, exaggerating their success and attributing it to inate ability (disposition)
• Social comparison 3

  Outgroup seen as inferior and their achievements are downplayed and seen as caused by external factors (situational). Motivated to see ingroup positively ‘quest for positive distinctiveness’. Similarities between groups minimised
• Strength

  Minimal group exp by Tajfel - 15 y/o Bristol school boys

  in-group/outgroup based on which painting they chose out of Kandinsky or Klee

  Told to allocate points which would be exchanged for cash

  More points awarded to ingroup & boys even chose to maximise diff in points even if it would reduce fine sum for ingroup
• Weakness / CA to minimal

  Lacks mundane realism

  real life discrimination has more unpleasant social consequences + rarely covert so lacks ecological validity
• Strength 2

  Application to reduce prej by increasing self esteem

  Fein and Spencer - students given false results on intelligence test to boost or reduce self esteem

  low - rated Jewish applicants for job less favourably than Italian - not true for high

  So, implement policies that target low self esteem
• Weakness 2

  Ethnocentrism - may only explain Western society intergroup behaviour

  Wetherell replicated Tajfel w 8 y/o in New Zealand and found indigenous Polynesian children sig more generous in point allocation to outgrip than white NZ classmates

  So, fails to predict behaviour of those w collectivist backgrounds