Neville, FG, Novelli, D, Drury, J and Reicher, SD (2020) Shared social identity transforms social relations in imaginary crowds. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations. ISSN 1368-4302

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (255kB) | Preview

Abstract

In this paper we present three studies that address the difference between physical and psychological groups, the conditions that create a transformation from the one into the other, and the psychological processes underlying this transformation. In Study 1 we demonstrate correlations between shared social identity, desired physical proximity to others, and positive emotions in the company of others. Study 2, employing a between-subjects design, finds that an event that creates shared fate, such as the breakdown of a train, leads to greater comfort in social interactions (e.g., ease of conversation) and comfort in sensual interactions (e.g., tolerance of physical touch) with other passengers, and that this occurs through an increase in shared social identity but not through social identification. Study 3 obtains similar findings using a within-subjects design. In combination, these studies provide consistent evidence for the role of shared social identity in the emergence of psychological groups from physical groups.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	crowds;group processes;intimacy;intragroup relations;positive emotions;shared identity;shared social identity;social identification;social identity;social interaction
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2021 13:55
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2021 13:56
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/83214

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update