Effects of group identity on resource use in a simulated commons dilemma.

Abstract

In a review of research on in-group categorization and group identity, Brewer (1979) proposed that cooperative solutions to social dilemmas, such as Hardin 's (1968) "tragedy of the commons ", may be achieved by exploiting the positive consequences arising from a common social-group identity. Three laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of making salient either a superordinate (collective) or subordinate (differentiating) group identity in heterogeneous groups. In the first two experiments, naturally occurring social categories were used as a basis for group differentiation. In the third, the level of social-group identity was manipulated by varying the common fate of the group members. It was predicted that individual restraint would be most likely when a superordinate group identity was made salient and under conditions in which feedback indicated that the common resource was being depleted. Results from all three experiments provide support for this general hypothesis, indicating that cooperative responding is enhanced even when the basis for superordinate group identity is minimal.

Here or there? Consumer reactions to corporate social responsibility initiatives: Egocentric tendencies and their moderators

“…Indeed, in all experiments, the tendency to reciprocate more strongly to the local activity is moderated by consumers' superordinate identities: their sense of global identity in study 1, their environmental consciousness in study 2, and the salience and magnitude of their feelings of membership to a broader community in study 3. The general pattern of findings in this research is in line with the extant research on egocentrism and on social identity and the different ways in-groups are defined (Gaertner et al 1989;Kramer and Brewer 1984).…”

“…Instead of measuring the level of consumers' superordinate identities, this final study manipulates the salience of membership to a narrow group or a broad group to assess whether egocentric behaviors are a function of how one's in-group is defined. Identity-based theories predict that, when a superordinate identity is salient, people are more likely to take into account whether something benefits the broader group rather than their own subgroup (Kramer and Brewer 1984;Transue 2007). Priming a subordinate or superordinate identity changes the perceived boundary of the in-group (Gaertner et al 1989); this has implications in terms of egocentric behavior because what is perceived as beneficial to oneself will vary according to the community most salient to the self.…”

Four Motives for Community Involvement

“…There is considerable evidence that when faced with a social dilemma, whether in a research laboratory or in real life, many people do not seek to maximize only their own welfare. They seek also to enhance the group welfare (Alfano & Marwell, 1980;Brewer & Kramer, 1986;Dawes, McTavish, & Shaklee, 1977;Kramer & Brewer, 1984;Orbell, van de Kragt, & Dawes, 1988;Yamagishi & Sato, 1986). The most common explanation for this attention to group welfare is in terms of collectivist motivation.…”

Unlocking the mindsets of Government Affairs Managers

“…Drawing from social identity theory, we contend that individuals are more likely to cooperate and identify with members of permeable groups because they share common beliefs, values and attitudes (Tajfel, 1978). Research has also noted that even under emergency situations, individuals who strongly identify with their group invest more of their own personal resources in the group and show greater restraint when consuming group resources (Brewer and Kramer, 1986;De Cremer and Van Vugt, 1999;Kramer and Brewer, 1984;Van Vugt, 2001). Furthermore, the decision to cooperate or to identify with particular groups depends on whether the group provides them with sufficient resources in exchange for the time and energy they have invested in them.…”