Download Social Identity Theory

Social Identity Theory
In-Group / Out-Group Syndrome
& Violence
Social Identity
• A social-psychological theory formed to
understand the way in which humans
formulate their identity (their Self)
especially as we do this in relation to
other groups of people.
• This theory is particularly interested
with the concept of In-Group/OutGroup syndrome.
Social Identity, continued
• Categorization: We often put others
(and ourselves) into categories. Labeling
someone a Muslim, a Turk, or a soccer
player are ways of saying other things
about these people.
• Identification: We also associate with
certain groups (our in-groups), which
serves to bolster our self-esteem.
Social Identity, continued
• Comparison: We compare our groups
with other groups, seeing a favorable
bias toward the group to which we
belong.
• Psychological Distinctiveness: We
desire our identity to be both distinct
from and positively compared with
other groups.
Racism & Social Identity
• Numerous posters and cartoons have been
employed for decades to draw stark lines
between American citizens as either in-groups
or out-groups. This approach to information is
called “propaganda.”
• By creating division between one group of
humans and another, parties in power can
create public support and consent for their
political goals.
Racism
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
Racism, continued
World War II
• Moving into WWII, propaganda began to be
employed to encourage support of American
involvement.
• Enemy combatants – primarily the Germans
and especially the Japanese, came to be
dehumanized in their depictions in the media,
an approach that powerful interests continue
to embrace today.
World War II
World War II, continued
World War II, continued
World War II, continued
World War II, continued
World War II, continued
World War II, continued
Communism
Communism
• After World War II, we entered the Cold War –
a time marked by a continuing state of
political conflict, military tension, and
economic competition, primarily with the
USSR – the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• In America, this manifested as the “Red
Scare,” the fear that communism would upset
the capitalist social order in the United States.
Communism, continued
Communism, continued
Communism, continued
War On Terror
War On Terror, continued
War On Terror, continued
War On Terror, continued
War On Terror, continued