Intragroup identification and intergroup differentiation: A multicomponent approach

Abstract

The factor structure of an intragroup identification scale was examined. Subjects participating in small groups worked on a decision-making task, complctcd the identification measure and made in-group and out-group evaluations. Three factors reflecting emotional, cognitive and individual/group interdependence aspects of identification accounted for 70,5 percent of the scale's rota1 variance. Based upon these rcsulrs, the identification scale was decomposed into three subscales. Correlations between subscale scores and differentiation were positive, but small in magnitudc (range 0.23-0.28). In contrast, subscale scores were morc strongly associated with the in-group aspect of differentiation (rs from 0.37 to 0.62). Implications of the findings for social identity theory are discussed along with the value of multicomponent conceptualizations and methodologies.Social identity theory (SIT e.g. Tajfel & Turner, 1979) has been a major force in the resurgence of research on intergroup relations. Since the development of SIT, numerous empirical investigations have been reported which have examined diverse aspects of its formulations (see Brewer & Kramer, 1985;Tajfel, 1982). However, until recently, one of SIT'S most basic tenets, i. e. the positive relationship between in-group identification and intergroup differentiation (Kelly, l988), has not attracted substantial research attention. The study reported here examined the factor structure underlying a measure of in-group identification and the relationship between the components of identification and intergroup differentiation.Oaker & Brown (1986) summarized succinctly the nature of the link in SIT between identification and differentiation:It is assumed within this theory that associated with . . . identification is a need for some positive distinctiveness, a need which is thought to be often satisfied through social comparison to heighten di/ferencu between groups (p.768).Their research was part of a programmatic effort, carried out in both laboratory and field settings, to test the identification-differentiation hypothesis (see also Brown, Condor,

Three-Dimensional Strength of Identification Across Group Memberships: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

“…Karasawa (1991) distinguished between identification with the group and identification with group members. Hinkle et al (1989) found evidence for three components: an affect aspect, a cognitive aspect and a group dynamics aspect. Ellemers et al (1999) reported findings indicating three factors of social identification; group self esteem, self categorization and commitment to the group.…”

“…Deaux (1996) in a review of the social identification literature argues that cognitive processes, emotional associations and interdependence between group members are all important aspects of the social identification process (see Deaux, 1996, for more detail). Several authors have found empirical evidence for the multidimensional nature of social identification (Cameron & Lalonde, 2001;Ellemers, Kortekaas, & Ouwerkerk, 1999;Hinkle, Taylor, Fox-Cardamone, & Crook, 1989;Jackson, 2002;Jackson & Smith, 1999). Karasawa (1991) distinguished between identification with the group and identification with group members.…”

“…Ingroup affect, refers to the emotional evaluation of that group membership, encapsulating the affective dimension which has emerged in many studies (e.g. Ellmers et al, 1999;Jackson, 2002;Hinkle 1989). Finally, Ingroup ties, refers to the perception of similarity and bonds with other group members, which again can be seen to have much in common with the findings of previous research (e.g.…”

Escala Trifatorial da Identidade Social (ETIS): Evidências de sua Adequação Psicométrica

“…Como existe suporte teórico (Deaux, 1996;Tajfel, 1978) e empírico Hinkle et al, 1989) convincentes para a existência de múltiplas dimensões da identidade social, Cameron (2004) observou que parece incerta a extensão em que as variações das estruturas fatoriais entre os estudos são atribuíveis à variação metodológica. Além disso, conforme observou Cameron (2004), nenhum modelo multidimensional da identidade social tinha sido, ainda, sujeito à análise fatorial confirmatória, dentro e entre diferentes grupos sociais, ou sistematicamente validados vis-à-vis a medidas comparáveis de identificação.…”

“…Os itens da Escala de Identificação Social foram constituídos com base: em estudos de Cameron e Lalonde (2001), que desenvolveram uma escala de 28 itens de identificação social, derivados de diferenças de gênero; nos itens de medidas de identidades sociais (Brown et al, 1986;Hinkle et al, 1989) e autoestima coletiva (Luhtanen & Crocker, 1992), bem como, em trabalho anterior sobre a identidade social de mulheres (Gurin & Markus, 1989;Gurin & Townsend, 1986).…”