The identification-similarity relationship as a function of ingroup status: A social identity perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis research examined the role of ingroup status in the relationship between ingroup identification and self-ingroup similarity. Studies 1a-1b showed that this relationship was stronger in low-status groups than in high-status groups, suggesting that high identifiers from the low-status group seek collective support by assimilating to the ingroup, whereas low identifiers get rid of the unsatisfactory group membership by distancing themselves from the ingroup. Two further studies showed that the identification-similarity relationship vanished when the low-status group members were given the opportunity to rely on a social creativity strategy (group affirmation in Study 2, alternative dimension of intergroup comparison in Study 3). Finally, Study 4 showed that the identification-similarity relationship was weaker in the high-status group than in both low-status and status-unspecified groups, providing stronger support for an identity motive explanation than for an identity threat explanation.