Social Group Identity Research Articles

Influence of Social Identity on Negative Perceptions in Global Virtual Teams

The paper combines insights from social identity theory and organizational network theory to specify the conditions under which social capital can induce negative attitudes in global virtual teams. The structural configuration of social capital has crucial implications for the sociocognitive processes causing individuals to adopt negative attitudes to out-group members. The paper evaluates both the negative implications of structural configurations on out-group perceptions, which are important precursors to successful intergroup interaction in global virtual teams. We collected data from 160 actors across 40 global virtual teams embedded within three separate organizations. 34 social identity groups were detected and ties between and within the groups were investigated. Our analyses provide insights on the roles of social identity groupings and social capital as well as in-group brokerage and interactions on (negative) perceptions of other group members in global virtual teams.

НЕУСВОЕННЫЕ УРОКИ НОВЕЙШЕЙ ИСТОРИИ

The article considers the complex geopolitical situation in the global world at the end of the second decade of the 21st century as determined by the consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union and by the new world order. The author seeks to answer the questions who will define the current geopolitical situation, whose aims it will reflect, what will become the basis of new geopolitical realities, the basis of moral solidarity of humankind, and the spiritual basis of future civilizations. The new challenges give rise to a desperate struggle for different scenarios for building a happy life. Moreover, it is not clear which ideal of the future world will be widely supported as a development guideline. The recognition as such of the standard of living and development of the strongest ones becomes a real threat to the new civilization for it leads to the loss of national interests of sovereign states, and to the loss of an independent future. Today, there is an active search for new theories and concepts that will adequately explain con-temporary global processes. In this thematic context, the author identifies main lessons not learned by the world political elites. The first lesson: new states are not born in an empty place, their common history is a great advantage ensuring prospects for the further development of interstate cooperation. The second lesson: the widespread falsification of history has a negative impact on national, cultural and social-group identity in transforming societies. The third lesson: after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the post-war balance of power was destroyed together with the system of checks and balances in world politics (a bipolar model of the world). The fourth lesson: under radical social transformations, the moral system of the population devaluates with numerous crisis consequences.

The digital radiography of archaeological pottery: Program and protocols for the analysis of production

Archaeologists collaborating with material scientists at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) as part of the Making of Ancient Eurasia (MAE) Project have developed formal methodological standards for the assemblage-based digital radiographic (DR) analysis of archaeological pottery. While analog radiography of pottery (X-radiography, Xeroradiography, etc.) has functioned as a common disciplinary tool for some time, inaccessibility, obsolescence, and significantly enhanced functionality have made DR instrumentation increasingly attractive and vital. This article presents the theoretical underpinnings, technique development, and resultant protocols that allow digital radiography to analyze very large assemblages and provide quantitative data sets that act as true counterparts to geochemical and mineralogical ones. As a technique of structural pottery evaluation, DR is particularly suited to the analysis of ceramic paste preparation and vessel formation, providing lines of evidence that can flesh out neglected portions of the chaîne opératoire, augment existing geochemical or typological classifications, and help more deeply characterize various potting traditions. Such datasets are most useful to scholars interested in harnessing the ability of the pottery “life cycle” to shed light on economic life, learning frameworks, and human social differences and group identities. The technical capacities and analytical potential of DR are demonstrated through several test analyses of ancient Chinese pottery, to be followed by more extensive case studies in draft. Prospects for closely related, three-dimensional X-ray computed tomographic approaches are also discussed.

Census Enumeration and Group Conflict

Does the enumeration of ethnic, racial, and/or religious categories on national household censuses increase the likelihood of conflict? The authors propose a theory of intergroup relations that emphasizes the conflictual effects of institutionalizing boundaries between social identity groups. The article investigates the relationship between counting and various forms of conflict with an original, global data set that classifies the type of enumeration used in more than one thousand census questionnaires in more than 150 countries spanning more than two centuries. Through a series of cross-national statistical analyses, the authors find a robust association between enumeration of ethnic cleavages on the census and various forms of competition and conflict, including violent ethnic civil war. The plausibility of the theory is further demonstrated through case study analysis of religious conflict in India.

An Evaluation of Intergroup Dialogue Pedagogy: Addressing Segregation and Developing Cultural Competency

ABSTRACTThis article presents data from a study of an intergroup dialogue (IGD) course in an urban Midwest MSW program guided by Derald Wing Sue’s multicultural education model. IGD was used as an innovative pedagogy to meet the Council on Social Work Education mandate for cultural competence and social justice education. Results showed significant gains in student aware-ness of self as a member of social identity groups, knowledge about structural group inequality, motivation to bridge, differences, and action to do so. Segregation by race and social contact did not predict change in confidence and frequency to take social justice action. Prior knowledge about racial inequality and motivation to bridge difference did predict change in action. IGD is a promising cultural competence pedagogy.

A case study on the formation of cultural capital

In the case of China, creativity as a new type of cultural capital was the product of Chinese society’s acceptance of the western influence on the concept of culture. The motivating power of its formation was closely related to the construction of new identities of social groups. The equalization effect and distinction effect of creativity show the groups’ different opinions from internal and external perspectives; the proposition of equality in culture should be understood as a true but local role. In addition, case studies about creativity present another kind of formation of cultural capital contents and another way of accessing cultural capital: all kinds of social forces jointly participate in the construction of cultural capital in the process of interaction, identifying the capital value and occupying the capital through diverse interpretations.

Development and validation of the persistent academic possible selves scale for adolescents (PAPSS)

The Persistent Academic Possible Selves Scale for Adolescents (PAPSS: 51items) was developed to measure diverse aspects of future-oriented motivation and future-oriented self-regulated learning in pursuing academic future goals. To validate the scale, (a) the internal structure of the PAPSS was examined (N=495) and (b) the PAPSS was assessed in comparison with the Oyserman (2004) open-ended possible selves questionnaire as predictors of external measures (N=302) using Multi-Goal Multi-Theory analysis. Overall, the results supported the construct validity of the PAPSS. The final factor structure included three persistent academic goal factors (improving grades, better student, and more attention in class) and five theory-based factors (social group identity, peer group identity, self-concept, motivational self-regulated learning, and performance). The structure demonstrated good model fit. Based on its relationships with external measures as well as theory, the PAPSS has advantages over other available measures.

Associations between social identity diversity, compatibility, and recovery capital amongst young people in substance use treatment

This study explored associations between group memberships and recovery capital amongst 20 young adults aged 18 to 21years in residential alcohol and drug treatment. MethodParticipants completed an interviewer administered research interview based on measures of recovery capital and a social networks assessment mapping group memberships, group substance use, and relationships between groups. ResultsHigher personal and social recovery capital was associated with lower diversity of group memberships, a higher number of positive links between groups, and greater compatibility of lower substance-using groups with other groups in the network. Higher compatibility of heavier-using groups was also associated with having a higher number of negative, antagonistic ties between groups. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that it is higher compatibility of a lower substance-using social identity and lower-using group memberships that contributes to recovery capital. Further, positive ties between groups and lower diversity of group memberships appear to be key aspects in how multiple social identities that are held by young adults relate to personal and social recovery capital.

Perceiving the World Through Group-Colored Glasses: A Perceptual Model of Intergroup Relations

ABSTRACTExtensive research has investigated societal and behavioral consequences of social group affiliation and identification but has been relatively silent on the role of perception in intergroup relations. We propose the perceptual model of intergroup relations to conceptualize how intergroup relations are grounded in perception. We review the growing literature on how intergroup dynamics shape perception across different sensory modalities and argue that these perceptual processes mediate intergroup relations. The model provides a starting point for social psychologists to study perception as a function of social group dynamics and for perception researchers to consider social influences. We highlight several gaps in the literature and outline areas for future research. Uncovering the role of perception in intergroup relations offers novel insights into the construction of shared reality and may help devise new and unique interventions targeted at the perceptual level.

Language nativisation and ideologies in Ajégúnlè (Lagos)

This paper investigates language use and ideologies in Ajégúnlè among the members of the Performing Musicians Employers' Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Ajégúnlè has been characterised by lack of social cohesion and group identity. Due to the diverse ethnic composition of the neighbourhood, Nigerian Pidgin has been used as a main community language in the last decades. The reggae musicians in Ajégúnlè also use Nigerian Pidgin in their songs and during their weekly meeting. Their sociolinguistic profile suggests that they use Nigerian Pidgin as a first language. In their discourse they put forward ideologies that are different from those commonly associated to the pidgin, and I named them ‘belonging’, ‘seriousness’, ‘overseas’ and ‘Yorùbá.

Al-Shabaab, Social Identity Group, Human (In)Security, and Counterterrorism

ABSTRACTThis article examines the link between human security, social identity, and al-Shabaab. The first section explores how social identity group theory can help explain al-Shabaab's recruitment. The second part focuses on the counterterrorism campaign against al-Shabaab, which involves decapitation, aggressive peacekeeping through a proxy in the shape of the African Union Mission in Somalia, and the role of a domestic de-radicalization program. The article concludes that al-Shabaab's allure is in decline and the group is facing internal turmoil, which makes its overtures toward the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant very dangerous, as al-Shabaab could act as an effective conduit between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.

The role of servant leadership in fostering inclusive organizations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative framework of servant leadership and employees’ perception of inclusion. The authors argue that servant leadership embodies an inclusive leadership philosophy that is in a position to facilitate feelings of belongingness and uniqueness among diverse employees.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model capturing the effect of servant leadership in shaping climates for inclusion, is developed. The authors elaborate on research streams focussing on climates for inclusion, and examine servant leadership as a potential predictor of inclusion. In this respect, the authors posit that inclusive practices mediate the servant leadership and inclusion relationship, while leaders’ inclusiveness beliefs moderate the servant leadership and inclusive practices relationship.FindingsThe model introduces mediating mechanisms that intervene in the indirect relationship between servant leadership and climates for inclusion. In so doing, the authors seek to identify how organizational practices supported through servant leadership behaviors address employee needs for belongingness and uniqueness. The model predicts multi-level beneficial outcomes for social identity groups.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies a bundle of organizational practices facilitating employees’ perceptions of inclusion, by placing an emphasis on how servant leaders can enact and implement practices in view of attaining inclusiveness pursuits.Social implicationsServant leadership is inclusive by empowering diverse employees and fostering equitable and more humane workplaces, as well as by being more sensitive to various societal expectations.Originality/valueThe paper is intended to explore precisely how servant leadership can help inclusive ideals to thrive in diverse work environments.

Al-Shabaab, Social Identity Group, Human (In)Security & U.S. Counterterrorism

This paper examines the link between human security, social identity and al-Shabaab and U.S. counterterrorism towards the Somali-based group. The aim is to show how al-Shabaab feeds on the anger of marginalized individuals which is then infused with al-Shabaab interpretation of Islam as a way to recruit disgruntled individuals. Nevertheless, it appears that Al-Shabaab’s allure is in decline, leading to the author to look at the U.S. counterterrorism campaign against al-Shabaab, which involves decapitation, aggressive peacekeeping through a proxy in the shape of the African Union Mission in Somalia, and domestic de-radicalisation program.

The good, the bad and the central of group identification: Evidence of a U‐shaped quadratic relation between in‐group affect and identity centrality

AbstractThe present research investigates the interrelation between two widely studied dimensions of social group identity—in‐group affect and centrality. Specifically, we test the validity of a quadratic curvilinear relation between in‐group affect and identity centrality. We propose that group members who feel either decidedly positive affect or decidedly negative affect towards their group are more likely to feel that their identity is a central component of their self‐concept relative to group members with neutral affect. We find evidence for a quadratic relation between in‐group affect and identity centrality with respect to people's cultural identity (N = 512), ethnic identity (N = 462), religious identity (N = 61, N = 384) and racial identity (N = 3600, N = 2400). Theoretical and practical implications for the measurement and conceptualization of group identification are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

When group members go against the grain: An ironic interactive effect of group identification and normative content on healthy eating

Three studies were conducted to examine the effect of group identification and normative content of social identities on healthy eating intentions and behaviour. In Study 1 (N = 87) Australian participants were shown images that portrayed a norm of healthy vs. unhealthy behaviour among Australians. Participants’ choices from an online restaurant menu were used to calculate energy content as the dependent variable. In Study 2 (N = 117), female participants were assigned to a healthy or unhealthy norm condition. The dependent variable was the amount of food eaten in a taste test. Social group identification was measured in both studies. In Study 3 (N = 117), both American identification and healthiness norm were experimentally manipulated, and participants’ choices from an online restaurant menu constituted the dependent variable. In all three studies, the healthiness norm presented interacted with participants’ group identification to predict eating behaviour. Contrary to what would be predicted under the traditional normative social influence account, higher identifiers chose higher energy food from an online menu and ate more food in a taste test when presented with information about their in-group members behaving healthily. The exact psychological mechanism responsible for these results remains unclear, but the pattern of means can be interpreted as evidence of vicarious licensing, whereby participants feel less motivated to make healthy food choices after being presented with content suggesting that other in-group members are engaging in healthy behaviour. These results suggest a more complex interplay between group membership and norms than has previously been proposed.

Song in a Social and Sexual Context: Vocalizations Signal Identity and Rank in Both Sexes of a Cooperative Breeder.

In most songbirds, both sexes produce calls, or short vocalizations used to coordinate behaviors and maintain social cohesion. In contrast, songs are longer, more elaborate vocalizations typically only produced by males in behavioral contexts shaped by sexual selection operating through female choice. However, both males and females sing in many cooperatively breeding species, including the superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus). In this species, both sexes produce songs and calls composed of sequences of temporally discrete elements called motifs. Calls signal social group and individual identity, but the function of songs is currently unknown. Because superb starlings often sing in groups, song could be used not only in a sexual context, but also to signal identity and rank within the separate dominance hierarchies observed in males and females. To determine whether songs are used in mate attraction (sexually selected) and/or to influence social rank (socially selected), we compared song diversity with three potential indicators of fitness and dominance: social status, the number of seasons spent breeding, and age. We found that age is correlated with song diversity in both males and females, suggesting that (1) these signals serve similar purposes in both sexes, and (2) song diversity is likely the result of selection by both mutual mate choice and social competition. To test whether songs carry a signal of individuality, we applied spectrogram dynamic time warping to measure pairwise similarity among song motifs, and then calculated motif similarity within and between individuals. We found that motif similarity is higher within individuals than between individuals, suggesting that songs signal individual identity, which may help to establish social rank. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that superb starling vocal behavior in each sex is shaped by both social and sexual selection. Additionally, because call motifs are also used in songs, our data suggest that at least some vocal building blocks have evolved to convey multiple signaler traits and to facilitate complex social and sexual interactions in different contexts.

Bilingualism, identity and social tolerance

This study examines the impact of bilingualism on identity and social tolerance among students of Tabriz University, accordingly the level of social tolerance is investigated among the students with different ethnic backgrounds. Every year many students from different ethnic backgrounds that have different maternal language from country's official language attend the University of Tabriz. This survey research was constructed among the male and female students in various areas in the 2011-2012 academic years. The sample size is 370, which were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Results show that bilingual students have flexible attitude towards groups, beliefs and acts, also those who are fluent in more than one language act better than monolingual people in social tolerance, coping skills and group identity. In other word, there is significant relation between coping skills, identity with bilingualism. Keywords: Bilingualism, language, group identity, social tolerance, coping skills

Just a Big Misunderstanding? Bias and Affective Polarization

Extreme partisan animosity, sometimes called partyism, has been on the rise in the US and is prevalent around the world. Much of the research on partyism posits that it is driven by social group identity and/or motivated reasoning. I propose a novel, behavioral economics-based explanation for partyism: the cognitive bias of overprecision (overconfidence in precision of beliefs). Overprecision could cause partyism indirectly via inflated perceptions of social distance, enhanced political extremism, or strengthened partisanship. These effects could then lead to increased partyism for other reasons such as motivated reasoning. Overprecision could also cause partyism directly via excessively strong negative inferences from observed skewed or misunderstood information. Using a nationally representative sample, I find consistent support for direct effects of overprecision and mixed support for indirect effects. The point estimates imply a one standard increase deviation in a respondent's overprecision predicts as much as a 0.71 standard deviation decline in relative out-party favorability.

The Meaning of Place and Space in a Probation Approved Premises

In a previous paper the author explored how the social life of resident offenders in a Probation Approved Premises was structured around social group identities; noting that these groups were reflected in the way space within the institution was used and imbued with meaning. This paper develops on these observations from an ethnographic case study of a Probation Approved Premises, highlighting the interplay between residents’ social and place-identities and the fundamental importance appreciating the meaning of places within the institution has to understanding the cultural experience of being a resident within this criminal justice context.

States, Citizen Rights and Global Warming

How will citizen rights be affected by global warming and related environmental disasters? Citizen rights have been demanded of and conferred by nation states. As a result, the benefits of citizenship remain highly variable across nations. Several schools of scholarship argue that nations states are weakening due to neoliberalism (Harvey), the rise of a world culture (Meyer), or privileged individuals’ ability to shield themselves from risk (Beck, Giddens). This article addresses those claims against the likely consequences of global warming. I begin with a brief review of theories on the origins of and durability of nationalism and examine how such theories account for variability in social and political rights and group identities across the globe. I then identify the ways in which those theories have been challenged by accounts of neoliberalism, world culture, and risk society. Various reports by scientific societies, global agencies and the US government identify the likely consequences of global warming. I propose the likely reactions by states to those consequences and identify the effects those actions will have on national identity and citizen rights.