Question

Social Psychology Ninth Edition Elliot Aronson Timothy D. Wilson Robin M. Akert Samuel R. Sommers.

Objective: Explain the concept of social identity and describe its components. Karen, a student of social psychology, wants to explain social identity theory to Molly, a fellow student majoring in math. Karen realizes she’ll need to enumerate the pros and cons of (1) social identity, (2) ethnocentrism, (3) in-group bias, and (4) out-group homogeneity. Imagine you’re Karen, and based on what you’ve learned from Chapter 13, write an essay in which you explain social identity theory to Molly.

Answer 1

Social identity remains associated with a person's sense. Our group and people in our surroundings are basically the integral part of defining our social identity. If we are associated with football team then our identity will involve a concept of sportsperson.

We compare our own culture and traditions with others. We also try to accomplish good aspects of our own culture so that we can prove to be superior as compared to others. This is basically known as concept of ethnocentrism.

We use our own identity as a comparison factor with other cultures and traditions. People generally take their own group as diverse. They consider other groups as alike. This is known as Out group homogeneity. People generally show a trend of favoritism for their own group.

They show a positive attitude for the members of their own group. There may be a lack of such helpful behavior for the members of other groups. This is known as In-group bias. Ethnocentrism, in group bias and out group homogeneity; are important symbols and parameters of defining social identity.

These parameters determine our behaviour for other groups. These behaviours become important aspects of our own social identity and personality.