Social Identity theory Tajfel (1971) Theories of Prejudice Social Identity theory Tajfel (1971)

How many ways are there to discriminate against people? List all the ways you can think of. What problems are caused by prejudice? What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?

Prejudice ‘Pre’ (meaning before) and ‘judice’ (meaning justice) An attitude – making judgements about someone based on their membership of a group rather than their individual nature.

One of the greatest problems of humanity Leads to dehumanisation and violence Why study prejudice? If we understand how it is formed perhaps we can learn how to prevent it Prejudice- extreme, unfavourable attitude associated with three components:

1. Cognitive: Stereotypes: Social perception of an individual based on their group membership or physical attributes Overgeneralised belief based on limited information Generalisations – applied to all members Positive / negative

2. Affective: Feelings of hostility and hatred

3. Behavioural: In terms of prejudice can be displayed as avoidance, assault, joke-making or discrimination. Actively excluding an individual or groups from things they are entitled to

Not all of these components manifest at the same time. i.e. someone who is prejudiced may have the cognitive and affective component but not discriminate Why? Prevailing social norms or laws perhaps?

Causes of prejudice Individual Differences Obedience & prejudice down to dispositional factors? I.e. personality? How can it explain whole culture and societies being prejudiced? Anti-Semitism developed over 10 or so years Look at social factors that can explain how entire populations of people develop prejudiced attitudes Social identity theory Realistic conflict theory

Read the article – http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/16/refugee-crisis-hit-uk- working-class-powerless Please note this is an opinion piece and not research We are using it to put the issues we are looking at into context. The issues brought up in the article are very relevant at the moment Application

Social Identity Theory – Tajfel (1970) The simple act of being grouped will inevitably lead to prejudice against another group. Tajfel classified group as in-groups or out-groups There are three stages to the Social Identity Theory

Tajfel (1970) – Social Identity Theory Social categorisation Social identification Social comparison Look up these stages. In pairs discuss the definitions

Social Identity Theory 1. Categorisation 2. Social Identification 3. Social comparison Act of categorising into groups In group Out group

Personal identity – strive to achieve positive image linked to high self esteem 2. Social Identity Identifying themselves by membership to certain social groups (social identification) Adopting characteristics – significance to your membership and self esteem (personal ID) is bound up with the group If social identity is favourable – personal identity of group members are positive. Boosting self esteem. Opposite is also true Social identity impacts on our personal identity Examples?

Football team – continued success? However if they lose several matches?

3. Social comparison: Defining and emphasising in-group characteristics to elevate social identity Comparing and derogating qualities of the out-group Achieved by 1. In-group favouritism – members unique and favourable - Heterogeneous 2. Negative out-group bias – members ‘all the same’ unfavourable - Homogenous Example!

Within a group – each member has a social identity Image based on the attributes of the group Group success =increases sense of belonging and self esteem Example? Football team – continued success? However if they lose several matches?

Tajfel (1971)Minimal group paradigm experiments The Minimal Group Paradigm is a methodology employed in social psychology to investigate the minimal conditions required for discrimination to occur between groups. Experiment 1 64 Schoolboys ages 14-15 groups of 8 (knew each other) Experiment 2 Klee and Kandinsky Summary must include: Aim Procedure Results Conclusion

Conclusions:

Evaluation of the study - GRAVE In pairs – list and explain 3 evaluation points Strengths Weaknesses

Evaluation of the theory Social identity theory - Supporting studies Lemyre and Smith (1985) followed minimal group paradigm Replicated findings Discriminating participants has increased self esteem – supporting the notion that personal identity is bound up with social identity Cialdini (1976) US university football scores Morel likely to wear football team sweatshirt after a game had been won than lost Interviews – referred to the team as ‘us’ when they won and ‘they’ when they lost Personal identity affected by association with a football team (social ID) Aronson and Osherow (1980) Blue eyes/brown eyes study(Jane Elliott)

Evaluation of social identity theory as an explanation of prejudice Strengths Weaknesses

Write up evaluation points for Social Identity Theory using SODAR