Question

 Social identity theory

30 Jul 2026
Answer :
Word Count : 694
Social Identity Theory is one of the most influential perspectives in advanced social psychology for understanding how individuals define themselves through group memberships and how these identities influence attitudes, emotions, and behavior. Developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner during the 1970s and 1980s, the theory explains the psychological processes underlying intergroup relations, prejudice, discrimination, and collective behavior. It proposes that a significant part of an individual's self-concept is derived from the social groups to which they belong, such as nationality, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender, profession, or political affiliation. According to the theory, an individual's identity consists of both personal identity and social identity. Personal identity refers to unique characteristics, abilities, and experiences that distinguish one individual from another. Social identity refers to the awareness of belonging to particular social groups and the emotional significance attached to those memberships. Individuals derive pride, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging from their group affiliations. The theory is based on three fundamental cognitive processes: social categorization, social identification, and social comparison. Social categorization involves classifying people into groups to simplify the social environment. Individuals automatically categorize themselves and others into groups such as "us" (ingroup) and "them" (outgroup). This process helps people organize social information but may also encourage stereotyping. Social identification occurs when individuals adopt the norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors associated with the groups to which they belong. Group membership becomes an important part of their identity, influencing their attitudes, emotional reactions, and decision-making. People often conform to group expectations to maintain acceptance and strengthen their sense of belonging. Social comparison is the process of comparing one's own group with other groups. Individuals seek positive distinctiveness by viewing their
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