Identity, Culture and Contestation: Social Identity as Cross-Cultural Theory

Abstract

In this paper we explore the logic and implications of the social identity approach to group processes. The theory argues that the consequences of social identification for behaviour are not simple givens. Rather than making generalisations about the behaviour that flows from social identification, the theory makes the point that behaviour depends upon the way in which identities are defined. This emphasis upon the contents of social identities draws our attention to their construction and we pay particular attention to how group identities are made and remade in and through argument and social practice. We argue that attention to the dynamics of identity construction means that this perspective is respectful of culture and cultural difference and that the social identity approach therefore has considerable value in exploring the politics and practice of identity wherever group behaviour may be found. Moreover, we argue that the ubiquity of identity-related argument across cultures and contexts reflects the fact that group identity is a basis for social power.

Enacting collective support for the European integration: Participation in pro‐integration action and preference for specific transnational acculturation strategies

“…The idea that social identities based on sociological categories can be shaped and sharpened to become highly relevant for socio‐political action for various causes is not new (Thomas, McGarty, & Louis, ). This research further evidence this proposition, at the same time indicating that opinion‐based social identities play a key role in complex situations where multiple identities can be activated or different versions of the same social identity are available (Hopkins & Reicher, ; Reicher, Cassidy, Wolpert, Hopkins, & Levine, ).…”

The Significance of Deaf Identity for Psychological Well-Being

“…This study is informed by the well-established tradition of social identity theory and research, which emphasizes subjective processes of identification reflecting feelings of belonging within a social group (see Tajfel, 1978;Turner, 1999;Hopkins & Reicher, 2011) in identity -that is, a measure that reflects Tajfel's emphasis on identification as a relationship between self and in-group. The question on deaf identity in this study asks about feelings of commonality with deaf or hearing people and is therefore, we argue, well-designed to capture the self-investment component of identification as well as the inter-group relational aspects of identification.…”

Music, identity, and musical ethnocentrism of young people in sixAsian,LatinAmerican, andWestern cultures

“…Our cross‐cultural study examined the symbolic value of national music for identity construction and expression, which often lies in the heart of social and cultural life (Hopkins & Reicher, ). National identity is a global and abstract phenomenon.…”