Abstract
AbstractSystem justification theory (SJT) proposes that support for social inequality should be stronger among members of devalued groups than among members of higher status groups; that embracing the system in this way soothes anger and leads to a withdrawal of support for social change; and that these effects should occur when group interest is weak. We compared these SJT predictions with identity management and hope for group advancement accounts that we deduced from social identity theory (SIT) which suggest that both system justification and support for social change will be significant when group interest is strong. Consistent with the SIT-based accounts, Study 1 (N = 116, Malaysia, Mage = 19.09 years) showed that strong identifiers were more concerned about their in-group’s reputation than weak identifiers, and that this concern increased system justification but only before an out-group audience to whom a need to present one’s group in good light is normally strong. Study 2 (N = 375, Australia, Ma...
Highlights
IntroductionSocial identity theory (SIT; Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and system justification theory (SJT; Jost & Banaji, 1994) represent two mainstream accounts of group processes and intergroup relations
Members of disadvantaged groups should be more likely to engage in system justification when their group interests and identities are relatively low in salience. (Jost, Pelham, Sheldon, & Ni Sullivan, 2003, p. 17; our emphasis; see Jost & Hunyady, 2002, p. 122)Social identity theory (SIT; Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and system justification theory (SJT; Jost & Banaji, 1994) represent two mainstream accounts of group processes and intergroup relations
SJT researchers predict that people who identify strongly with devalued groups are least likely to engage in system justification because their need for a positive social identity works against the motive to justify systems that are responsible for their group’s devaluation (Jost & Hunyady, 2002)
Summary
Social identity theory (SIT; Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and system justification theory (SJT; Jost & Banaji, 1994) represent two mainstream accounts of group processes and intergroup relations According to both theories, people who experience negativity towards their social groups are faced with two options: they can either (a) take action to challenge the system and attempt to change the status quo via various forms of social protest or (b) they can accept the status quo and cognitively justify and manage their negative group membership. SJT researchers predict that people who identify strongly with devalued groups are least likely to engage in system justification because their need for a positive social identity works against the motive to justify systems that are responsible for their group’s devaluation (Jost & Hunyady, 2002).
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