SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY

Summary:

Social Identity Theory (SIT), developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner in the 1970s, is a framework for understanding how individuals derive their sense of self from the groups to which they belong. According to SIT, people categorize themselves and others into different social groups (such as in-groups and out-groups), and this social categorisation plays a critical role in shaping attitudes, behaviours, and intergroup relations.

1. Social Categorization: This refers to the process by which individuals categorize themselves and others into social groups, such as nationality, race, gender, or profession. This categorization helps simplify the social world and allows people to define themselves in relation to others.
2. Social Comparison: Once individuals categorize themselves into social groups, they engage in social comparisonto evaluate their group against other groups. This comparison often results in a positive bias toward one's own group (the in-group) and a negative bias toward out-groups. This phenomenon can contribute to ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination.
3. Social Identity and Self-Esteem: According to SIT, individuals' self-concept is significantly shaped by their group memberships. People strive to achieve a positive social identity, and their self-esteem is tied to the perceived status and value of the groups to which they belong. If an individual’s group is seen as superior, it boosts their self-esteem, whereas belonging to a lower-status group can lower self-esteem.

An Application:

When two companies merge, employees from different corporate cultures may experience a shift in their social identity. Each group (the employees from the acquiring company and those from the acquired company) may identify strongly with their original company, viewing it as superior or more prestigious. This situation can create friction, leading to a "us versus them" mentality and reducing the potential for collaboration. According to Social Identity Theory, people derive part of their self-esteem from their group memberships, and when these groups are brought together in a merger, they may feel that their own group’s status or values are threatened, leading to resistance or hostility toward the other group.

Example in Practice: In a merger between two companies, employees may initially refuse to cooperate with or trust their new colleagues, creating barriers to effective teamwork and communication. The Tajfel & Turner framework suggests that in-group favoritism (preference for members of one's own group) and out-group discrimination (negative bias toward those not in the group) may hinder the integration process.

To address this, companies can apply strategies based on Social Identity Theory:

• Inclusive Leadership: Leaders can promote a shared organizational identity by focusing on the overarching goals and values of the new entity. This approach helps employees of both groups see themselves as part of the same organization rather than separate teams.
• Intergroup Contact: The theory supports the idea that contact between groups can reduce prejudice. In practical terms, companies can organize joint team-building exercises, collaborative projects, and cross-company social events. This can help employees break down barriers and develop a shared identity as part of the same company.
• Superordinate Goals: Creating goals that require cooperation between groups, such as product innovation or improving company performance, can also help reduce intergroup conflict. These common objectives can foster a sense of shared purpose.

Can you think of some group identities that you belong to that come with norms or stereotypes that don't necessarily reflect your own personality?

Key References

Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. The social identity theory of intergroup behaviour. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.),The social psychologyof intergrouprelations(pp. 33–47). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.

 This seminal work outlines the key principles of Social Identity Theory and its implications for intergroup relations.

Turner, J. C., Hogg, M. A., Oakes, P. J., Reicher, S. D., & Wetherell, M. S. (1987). Rediscovering the social group: A self-categorization theory. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. 

This book further expands upon Social Identity Theory, incorporating the concept of self-categorization and explaining how group identities influence individual behaviours.

Brown, R. (2000). Social identity theory: Past achievements, current problems and future challenges. European Journal of Social Psychology, 30(6), 745-778. 

This article provides a comprehensive review of the theoretical and empirical developments of Social Identity Theory, including its application in understanding social conflict and group dynamics.