Self-categorization of users’ comments and ingroup influence: The moderating role of context-dependent ingroup identification

Abstract

A web-based experiment (N = 184) examined whether social identity cues embedded in users’ comments elicit ingroup bias. Participants viewed a mock Yelp.com webpage that displayed information about a local business together with four users’ comments. Consistent with self-categorization theory, viewers adopted their ingroup’s comments, but only when they identified highly with their ingroup. Further, a central message that was juxtaposed with users’ comments and shaped their focus, determined the degree of ingroup identification; viewers were more likely to identify with their ingroup when the central message dealt with an outgroup-typed (vs. ingroup-typed) topic. Finally, although an outgroup-typed central message elicited stereotypical beliefs of the outgroup’s expertise, such beliefs failed to predict viewers’ attitudes, thus lending support to the ingroup identification explanation.

Need for closure and ethnic identification: The varied roles of cultural intelligence in a multiethnic group society

“…One way to accomplish this would be to identify with and be devoted to the ingroup and its norms and cause. The need to protect, improve or maintain the social status of the ingroup has been linked to more devotion and cooperation among ingroup members (Chang et al, 2017; Jang & Walther, 2019; Reicher, 2004). In Nigeria, people tend to be quick to express support for their ethnic groups especially when disparaging remarks are made about one's group or its associated religion (Aduloju, 2016; Ahmad, 2018; Buari, 2015; Ezeamalu, 2015; Olonisakin & Adebayo, 2017).…”

“…The unity between the constituent groups in a multicultural or multigroup society has been identified as crucial to the peace, growth, and development of such a society (Adebayo & Olonisakin, 2018). This is because, under situations of intergroup competition, attachment to the ingroup might lead to negative outgroup attitudes (Brown, 2000; Cooley et al, 2018; de Vries, 2003; Duckitt et al, 2005; Jang & Walther, 2019; McClanahan et al, 2019; Schaub, 2017; Vandeyar & Vandeyar, 2017). This invariably affects the cohesion and stability of societies where such social division is existent.…”

Examining the effect of identification with a social media community on persuasive message processing and attitude change

“…comments) will moderate this effect, with persuasive messages presented alongside message-reinforcing user comments yielding a stronger effect than those without comments. Because Imgur comments typically support post content (Hale, 2017), the presence of comments in response to persuasive messages will typically reinforce the ingroup position (see Jang and Walther, 2019), bolstering the normative position to which members are expected to conform.…”

“…racial or gender identities) on communication practices (e.g. Bamman et al, 2014; Cook and Hasmath, 2014; Jang and Walther, 2019), researchers have only begun to explore social identities bounded by digital spaces (e.g. Hale, 2017; Mikal et al, 2014).…”

“…another Imgur user)—an effect well-documented in social identity literature (McGarty et al, 1994; Wyer, 2010). In addition, it is hypothesized that when commenters provide support for the persuasive message (reinforcing an in-group position), this effect will be accentuated (Jang and Walther, 2019). If high-identifying Imgur users exhibit greater attitude shift after reviewing messages presented within the Imgur platform than low-identifiers, and this effect is strengthened through commenter reinforcement, this would provide evidence for social identification processes.…”