social identity theory

• What is social identity theory primarily concerned with?

  Prejudice
• What is the first key term in social identity theory?

  Social categorisation
• Why do we categorise people according to social identity theory?

  To understand the social environment
• What are the two groups identified in social identity theory?

  In-group and out-group
• What is the in-group?

  The group we are members of
• What is the out-group?

  Another group we are not members of
• What does personal identity consist of?

  Unique qualities, personality, self-esteem
• What does social comparison lead to?

  In-group favouritism and negative out-group bias
• How do we distinguish ourselves according to social identity?

  By membership to certain social groups
• Why do we engage in social comparison?

  To raise positive attributes of our group
• What is in-group favouritism?

  Tendency to see in-group members favourably
• How do in-group members view each other according to in-group favouritism?

  As unique and different in a favourable light
• What is negative out-group bias?

  Negative tendency to view out-group members unfavourably
• How do we perceive out-group members according to negative out-group bias?

  As all the same and unfavourably
• What is the relationship between social identity and group membership?

  Social identity is based on group membership
• How does social identity theory explain prejudice?

  Through in-group favouritism and out-group bias
• What does social identity theory suggest is necessary to reduce prejudice and discrimination?

  Stop categorizing people and in-group favoritism
• What is a strength of social identity theory regarding self-esteem?

  Higher self-esteem may reduce negative outgroup bias
• What is a weakness of social identity theory mentioned in the text?

  It ignores the role of nature in prejudice
• Which theory is better at explaining prejudice between groups competing for limited resources?

  Realistic conflict theory
• What type of prejudice does realistic conflict theory specifically address?

  Prejudice between groups in competition
• How does social identity theory relate to in-group favoritism?

  It suggests stopping in-group favoritism to reduce prejudice
• Why might some individuals show less prejudice according to social identity theory?

  Due to higher self-esteem levels
• What does social identity theory offer in terms of applications for reducing prejudice?

  Less tangible applications compared to other theories
• What does realistic conflict theory explain about prejudice towards immigrants?


  It explains prejudice over competition for jobs
• How does social identity theory's explanation of prejudice differ from that of realistic conflict theory?


  Social identity theory applies without resource competition