Moved by the Masses: A Social Identity Perspective on Inspiration

Abstract

Inspiration is a state, evoked from some source, which creates a form of approach motivation within an individual to work toward a goal, usually associated with a creative task or product. Previous research has explored inspiration as a trait which varies in the level of intensity and frequency that one is inspired by a given source. The present research views inspiration from a social identity perspective. In Study 1, we examined the associations between ingroup identification and both state and trait inspiration. In Study 2, we manipulated salient group identity and examined ingroup identification as a mediator of salient identity and felt inspiration. In Study 3, we manipulated outgroup comparisons to examine inspiration change. Combined, the present research offers insight into how one’s group influences how ingroup members are inspired.