Social identity theory: past achievements, current problems and future challenges

Abstract

This article presents a critical review of Social Identity Theory. Its major contributions to the study of intergroup relations are discussed, focusing on its powerful explanations of such phenomena as ingroup bias, responses of subordinate groups to their unequal status position, and intragroup homogeneity and stereotyping. In addition, its stimulative role for theoretical elaborations of the Contact Hypothesis as a strategy for improving intergroup attitudes is noted. Then five issues which have proved problematic for Social Identity Theory are identified: the relationship between group identification and ingroup bias; the self‐esteem hypothesis; positive – negative asymmetry in intergroup discrimination; the effects of intergroup similarity; and the choice of identity strategies by low‐status groups. In a third section a future research agenda for the theory is sketched out, with five lines of enquiry noted as being particularly promising: expanding the concept of social identity; predicting comparison choice in intergroup settings; incorporating affect into the theory; managing social identities in multicultural settings; and integrating implicit and explicit processes. The article concludes with some remarks on the potential applications of social identity principles. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relational diversity and neighbourhood cohesion. Unpacking variety, balance and in-group size

“…Blalock, 1967;Olzak, 1992) and in-group favoritism (e.g. Tajfel & Turner, 1986;Brown, 2000). From the viewpoint of these dominant theoretical accounts, it should mainly matter whether an individual belongs to a small minority group and is thus mostly surrounded by members of one or more ethnic out-groups, or belongs to the dominant majority and is therefore mainly surrounded by co-ethnics.…”

Participation in Decision Making: Disempowerment, Disappointment and Different Directions

“…The easy identification of other people as inferior or subordinate could be described as 'identityprotecting' behaviour (Brown, 2000). According to Brown, such maintenance strategies are particularly relevant to 'low-status' groups who use a variety of ways of reinterpreting significant social signs and identifications, and collectively asserting superiority.…”

Inclusiveness of identification among farmers in The Netherlands and Galicia (Spain)

“…Applying M. B. Brewer and R. Herrmann's (paper presented at the European Science Foundation Workshop, Menaggio, Italy, 2002) functional, socialization and persuasion models of identity formation and change, Brown (2000) and Huo et al's (1996) models of sub-and superordinated identities, and Simon and Klandermans (2001) theory of politicized collective identity we formulated hypotheses about identification patterns among farmers in The Netherlands and Galicia.…”

“…Finally, social psychological literature suggests that identification with a more inclusive category prevents the occurrence of intergroup conflict (see Brown, 2000;Gaertner et al, 2000;Huo, Smith, Tyler, & Lind, 1996 for overviews). Gaertner et al's review of the extensive work on the common ingroup identity model evidences that intergroup bias and conflict can be reduced by factors that transform participants' representation of memberships from two to one more inclusive group.…”