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Theories and Concepts

Social Identity Theory

Social Psychology

Social identity theory, developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner in the 1970s and 1980s, holds that part of a person's self-concept comes from their perceived membership in social groups, and that people are motivated to achieve or maintain a positive social identity by favorably comparing their own group against other groups. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Core Claim
Social identity is the portion of an individual's self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group, and individuals are motivated to achieve or maintain a positive social identity by favorably comparing their own group against other groups. 1
Origin Year
1979 1
Connections

Held Differently

Marilynn Brewer's optimal distinctiveness theory was developed as a refinement of social identity theory, proposing that group identification balances needs for both belonging and distinctiveness left unresolved by the original theory.

Associated With

This experiment is the founding empirical demonstration behind social identity theory.

Developed By

Source Wikipedia: Social Identity Theory

In Branch

Sources
1. Wikipedia: Social Identity Theory
Wikimedia Foundation
  • opening definition section
    Social identity is the portion of an individual's self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group.
  • Developed By: Henri Tajfel, Introduction
    Social identity theory introduced the concept of a social identity as a way in which to explain intergroup behaviour.
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