Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Conflict - Essay Example

?Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Conflict Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Definition of Identity 3 Significance of studyingIdentity in understanding intergroup conflicts 4 Implications of Social Identity Theory 4 Conclusion 6 References 7 Introduction Social identity theory provides a distinctive understanding on the link between self and collective forms of conflicts. The discussion in this essay aims to produce a brief explanation and analysis of identity concepts, along with making a precise segregation of self-identity and social identity based on the implications of social identity theory of intergroup conflict. Adding to the differences, different forms of identity has been explained in this essay in order to gain an insight to the aspects of intergroup conflicts as elaborated in the social identity theory. Based on the findings in accordance to the mentioned aspects, further explanation has been provided in respect of the behavioural implications of Social Identity Theory. Definition of Identity As explained in the Identity Theory in Walumbwa & et. al. (2011), the term ‘Identity’ is quite challenging to be defined with the use of a momentary and acceptable statement that can succinctly hold the range of its meaning. Conceptually, ‘identity’, as a term, refers to the social categories and sources of an individual’s self-respect or dignity at the same time, which often becomes a major driver of intergroup disputes. To put it in simple words, identity is the combination of what features a person or a thing beholds, i.e. the uniformity of a person or a thing at all the time. According to the study of Gao & Riley (2010), the identity features in a person commonly involves certain attributes that may be termed as “internal stickiness”, which at a broader context can be examined to hinder psychological knowledge ownership of a person and raise issues in terms of ‘possessiveness’. It is under such circumstances that at often instances, intergroup conflicts take place as one or more individuals tend to segregate themselves from the rest because of “internal stickiness”. Conceptually, as per the social identity theory, identity (a) may refer to a social group, defined by the membership rules and characteristic attributes or social behaviour or (b) may refer to socially distinctive features those are identifiable when a person deciphers a degree of pride in his/her attitude in a manner that is somewhat unchangeable but socially consequential, or (a) and (b) at once. The social identity theory expands the meaning of ‘Identity’ to a broader realm, which is completely different from the captured definition of the term in dictionary (Walumbwa & et. al., 2011). Notably, these two major attributes (a) and (b) differ from one group to another, reflecting through the individual role performances and hence, are likely to become a major reason of intergroup conflict (Walumbwa & et. al., 2011). Correspondingly, it can be argued that studying identity shall contribute towards the mitigation of intergroup conflicts and therefore contribute to a healthier relationship amid the group members. Significance of studying Identity in understanding intergroup conflicts The social identity theory differentiates personal identity and social identity explaining that personal identity is an explanation and estimation of oneself in terms of idiosyncratic personal attributes or one’s specific relationship with other people. On the contrary, social identity is a description and valuation of oneself in relation to shared attributes that expresses the specific group’s membership one belongs to (Schwartz, 2011). As explained by Kraus (2011), social identity works as a member of group, and not as an individual. In self-identity, therefore, there is no outside influence to control an individual’s perspective one way or the other, whereas in social identity, a person’s self-identity is combined with the group’s identity, to which one belongs and becomes more aware of what they are doing after being placed within a social group (Schwartz, 2011). An in-depth understanding to these forms reveal that they can co-exist within an individual or a group, which at the onset, determines the varying nature of the individual behaviour and group behaviour on the whole. Besides, people are observed to have more complex identities, known as multiple identities that are strongly influenced by external factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, age and nationality among others. Influences of these variables at the individual and the group levels, altogether promote intergroup conflicts, which makes it essential to study identity in order to understand the inherent causes (Liu, 2012). Implications of Social Identity Theory In simple words, social identity theory tends to make assumptions based on the individual’s sense regarding their role in a group and their personal features, which further determines the rudimental causes of intergroup conflicts. The theory principally aims to realize the psychological basis and behavioural discrimination in the intergroup level. The prime motive behind formulation of this theory was therefore to understand the minimal conditions that would lead members of the same group in a common path to discriminate against other out-groups. It is worth mentioning in this context that social identity theory intends to stimulate a feeling of pride and self-esteem within the individual members of the group and mitigate chances of intra-group conflicts (Mahajan & et. al., 2011). Such a feeling may ignite on the basis of gender or religion and even on the grounds of linguistic differences. For example, it was owing to the linguistic differences that ABB Ltd. had to witness intergroup conflicts between its Headquarter and its subsidiaries operating in various nations. A critical understanding to the challenge faced by ABB in managing its worldwide operations depict a strong linkage between language and social identity theories that further raises chances to intergroup conflicts. Subsequently, to mitigate these challenges the company has been focusing on preserving uniformity in its training and development programs for employees with a vision to enhance the universality of the manpower that shall in turn reduce chances of such causes for social crisis to a substantial extent (ABB, 2013). Again when emphasising gender based social identity crises situations, the recent conflicts faced by Wal-Mart Stores can be considered as noteworthy. As illustrated by Wax (2011), intergroup conflicts, which mainly reflected upon the gaps persisting between the social identity needs recognised by the company and thereafter imbibed in its strategic processes and the actual identity threats witnessed by the employees (especially women workers) within the workplace. As a consequence, conflicts rose within the management and the employees as well as at the employee-employee levels, making the organisational performance suffer (Wax, 2011). It is worth mentioning in this context that the central cognitive procedure in social identity theory is “depersonalization”, or viewing the self as an embodiment of the in group prototype, and not in the form of a unique individual (Swann Jr. & et. al., 2012). Activation of social identity is adequate enough to yield outcomes in the form of “depersonalization”. Similar to depersonalization in social identity theory, a central cognitive process in identity theory is self- verification, or seeing the self in terms of the role as embodied in the identity standard. Conceptually, self- verification underlines behavioural processes such as role taking, role making and group formation as the person act to portray the identity that at the group level segregates between two groups and subsequently, contributes to intergroup conflict chances (Delavande & Zafar, 2013). Conclusion Arguably, social identity is usually involved in intergroup conflicts, whether it is carried out peaceably in cultural and political areas or become violent and murderous. According to the social identity theory elaborated by Swann Jr. & et. al. (2012), every single person has a range of self-definitions. The more such persons identify themselves within a group; the more they are motivated to evaluate the group positively, contributing towards minimization of intra-group conflicts, but increasing differences with other groups and therefore, fuelling the chances of intergroup conflicts. References ABB, 2013. Developing Our People: Central to Business Success. [Online] Available at: http://www.abb.com/cawp/abbzh258/63795478c4961cddc125785c0071b697.aspx [Accessed November 2, 2013]. Delavande, A. & Zafar, B., 2013. Gender Discrimination and Social Identity: Experimental Evidence from Urban Pakistan. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Reports, no. 593. Gao, Y. F. & Riley, M., 2010. Knowledge and Identity: A Review. International Journal of Management Reviews, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 317-334. Kraus, M. W. & et. al., 2011. The Power To Be Me: Power Elevates Self-Concept Consistency And Authenticity. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 47, pp. 974–980. Liu, J. H., 2012. A Cultural Perspective on Intergroup Relations and Social Identity. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 1-16. Mahajan, N. & et. al., 2011. The Evolution of Intergroup Bias: Perceptions and Attitudes in Rhesus Macaques. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 100, No. 3, pp. 387– 405. Schwartz, S. J., & et. al., 2011. Daily Dynamics of Personal Identity and Self-concept Clarity. European Journal of Personality, Vol. 25, pp. 373–385. Swann Jr., W. B. & et. al., 2012. When Group Membership Gets Personal: A Theory of Identity Fusion. Psychological Review, pp. 1-16. Wax, A. L., 2011. Supply Side or Discrimination? Assessing the Role of Unconscious Bias. Temple Law Review, Vol. 83, pp. 877-902. Walumbwa, F. O., & et. al., 2011. Linking Ethical Leadership to Employee Performance: The Roles of Leader–Member Exchange, Self-Efficacy, and Organizational Identi?cation. Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 115, pp. 204–213. Read More