A Social Identity Approach to Sport Psychology: Principles, Practice, and Prospects

Abstract

Drawing on social identity theory and self-categorization theory, we outline an approach to sport psychology that understands groups not simply as features of sporting contexts but rather as elements that can be, and often are, incorporated into a person's sense of self and, through this, become powerful determinants of their sport-related behavior. The underpinnings of this social identity approach are outlined, and four key lessons for sport that are indicative of the analytical and practical power of the approach are presented. These suggest that social identity is the basis for sports group (1) behavior, (2) formation and development, (3) support and stress appraisal, and (4) leadership. Building on recent developments within sport science, we outline an agenda for future research by identifying a range of topics to which the social identity approach could fruitfully contribute. Key Points• We outline a social identity approach to sport psychology based upon social identity and self-categorization theories.• We argue that this approach has the potential to make a significant, unique, and powerful contribution to the analysis of an array of phenomena and behaviors that are at the heart of sport and sport psychology.• In particular, the approach offers a comprehensive analysis of the ways in which individual psychology both structures, and is structured by, the dynamics of group life; this involves seeing groups not simply as features of sporting contexts but rather as elements that can be, and often are, incorporated into a person's sense of self and, through this, become powerful determinants of their sport-related behavior.

Athlete leadership in sport teams: Current understanding and future directions

“…In addition, one of the latest trends in leadership research emphasizes the importance of leader's capacity to build a shared identity within the team (Rees, Haslam, Coffee, & Lavallee, 2015). The idea that social identity lays the platform for effective leadership is at the core of the Social Identity Approach to Leadership (Haslam, Reicher, & Platow, 2011).…”

The pathway to accepting derogatory ingroup norms: The roles of compartmentalization and legitimacy

“…At the group level, sport teams represent important identities that convey meaning and belongingness to their members (Branscombe & Wann, 1991;Bruner, Boardley, & Côté, 2014;Rees et al, 2015;Wann, 2006). Players, coaches, and fans are all affected by the sports they engage in and by the teams they identify with, even if this sporting context represents ''just'' a game.…”

“…Social identity theory (SIT; Tajfel & Turner, 1986) is increasingly recognized as a highly relevant theory to understand the intergroup processes that operate in the realm of sports (Bruner et al 2014;Rees et al, 2015). From SIT's point of view, individuals in intergroup contexts seek a distinct and positive social identity.…”

“…Legitimacy (vs. illegitimacy) was operationalised specifically by making salient the beneficial (vs. harmful) consequences of one's derogatory actions against members of outgroup teams. To investigate these questions, we integrated traditionally distinct theoretical approaches, namely, theories of intergroup relations -which are becoming increasingly employed and recognized as useful to understand a variety of phenomena in the realm of sports (Rees et al, 2015) -with humanistic and self and identity approaches, focusing particularly on the novel notion of compartmentalization, as a form of self-fragmentation. The current research also explored the role of these normative and identity variables in predicting psychological well-being.…”

Authors’ Reply to Hill: Comment on “The Great British Medalists Project: A Review of Current Knowledge on the Development of the World’s Best Sporting Talent”

“…For example, narcissism researchers accept that there is likely more than one facet of narcissism (i.e., grandiose and vulnerable [1]); social identity researchers encourage a wider view of support and coaching [2]. All the literatures in the review are more complex than a review could afford; there is nothing different about perfectionism.…”