Social+identity+theory


 * Sociocultural cognition Social norms Cultural norms **

=**Sociocultural cognition**= Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4

**Topic 3**
Evaluate social identity theory, making reference to relevant studies.

Crane and Hannibal, pages 106 – 107
 * Reading**

Look specifically at the study by Tajfel (Crane and Hannibal, p. 107)
 * Task**

[|And this site for more detailed information]

__Part 1__ 1. Write a brief summary of the study, including one sentence about each of the following:


 * aims and context
 * procedures
 * findings
 * conclusions

__Part 2__ 1. Identify 1 limitation of the study 2. Identify 1 strength of the study

__Part 3__ In-group identity can be an explanation for behavior. 1. How might this also be used to explain how prejudice can develop? 2. How might other environmental factors play a role as they interact with the ‘self’? (see Crane’s comment on this on page 107)

Include specific examples from your own experiences/schema (either actual or through exposure to information).


 * The Robbers' Cave Experiments**

Now read the handout on The Robbers Cave Experiments

http://orpc.iaccp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87%3Aliu&catid=35%3Achapter&Itemid=15

1. What can you add to your answer? What would you change? (make those changes in your group notes) 2. What implications do the Robbers Cave Experiments have for those interested in reducing conflict between groups?
 * Review your answers to Part 3 of the previous task, looking specifically at question 2 (above).**

=Exploring social identity theory=


 * In-groups
 * Out-groups
 * social comparison and self esteem
 * Through class discussion, we will devise a way to explore this at school**

=The Stanford Prison Experiment= http://www.prisonexp.org/

How can we use Social Identity Theory to help explain why people chose to remain in the study, and why their behavior changed so dramatically?
 * Discussion**

[|Reicher and Haslam study]

The BBC Prison Experiment
//One of the most widely known studies in psychology is Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment which attempted to show the power of the situation and social roles on behaviour. Previous explanations suggest that group psychology :// //Reicher and Haslam replicated (in part) this concept and recreated a prison environment to//
 * 1) //always moves in the direction of extreme anti-social behaviour//
 * 2) //when in a group individuals lose their self-identity (deindividuation) and become capable of barbaric acts.//
 * //**identify the effects of Social Identity Theory on how groups form and if tyranny occurs**...//
 * **//they// //created an institution ‘like’ a prison to investigate the behaviour of groups that are unequal in resources, power and status.//**


 * Questions**
 * 1) Under what conditions did people conform to social roles
 * 2) Under what conditions did they NOT conform?
 * 3) Identify 2 limitations of this study
 * 4) Identify 1 strength of this study

= Evaluating social identity theory =

It helps us to understand human behaviour but it does not help us to predict behavior (Source: Eysenck, Psychology An International Perspective) See an [|overview]

__Strengths__
 * Empirical research has supported social identity theory (identify 2 studies that you may use that support this theory)
 * The theory has wide application.
 * The theory suggests that humans are active in their sense of who they are.

__Limitations__
 * the theory does not take into account the interaction between the self and the environment
 * Belonging to a group does not necessarily lead to social identification with that group, since people do reject their social group.
 * Research is often based on lab studies, where allegiance to the group may be very short lived.
 * The focus on cognitive factors may take interest away from emotional and motivational factors.
 * Self-esteem may be enhanced by other means.

=Further reading= = Applications = [|Explaining terrorism: a psychosocial approach]

Social networking

= The Jonestown Massacre =

Investigate the Jonestown Massacre in the context of social identity theory http://www.apa.org/monitor/nov03/jonestown.html http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199203/the-truth-about-jonestown

How can we use Social Identity Theory to help explain why people chose to remain with Jim Jones despite inhumane conditions?
 * Discussion**