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

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 19:03 authored by Rupert Brown
This article presents a critical review of Social Identify Theory. Its major contributions to the study of intel group 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.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

European Journal of Social Psychology

ISSN

0046-2772

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons

Issue

6

Volume

30

Page range

745-778

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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