Identity in the sense of social identity arises from social categorization processes. People see themselves as human beings, as part of certain groups, and as individuals. People associate group membership with certain values that contribute to their self-worth.
What is identity?
Identity in the sense of social identity arises from social categorization processes. People see themselves as human beings, as part of certain groups, and as individuals. When we speak of identity in terms of psycho-physical processes, we are talking about human social identity. In cognitive social psychology the theory of social identity is the most prominent theory concerning intergroup relations. Stimuli from the external environment are organized by the human brain into a logical whole and then classified into categories. Medicine has known about stimulus classification since the 1960s. The first works from this time served the theory of social identity as a starting point. The concept of identity has existed in the sense of social identity since the mid-1970s. Four mutually influential, psychological processes contribute to a person’s social identity (other models of identity describe more, less, or different processes. For identity is still occupied with many ambiguities). In addition to categorization, identity is formed from social comparisons and one’s own social distinctiveness. A person’s identity is defined by membership in a particular group and corresponds to a part of the personally developed self-concept.
Function and task
Categorization processes became relevant to stimulus processing in the 1960s. Adapted from stimulus processing, they also became relevant to social identity theory. The categorization processes related to identity correspond to social classifications by means of which people make their social environment more transparent and predictable. People perceive other people in the context of the organization of external stimuli, for example, as belonging together under certain circumstances and group them together. Social categorization thus corresponds to a structuring of the social environment, which in each case results in an evaluation of the individual categories and thus links the structures with certain valences. Every person is himself part of certain social groups and also perceives himself as part of them. Membership in a particular group is linked to values that a person ascribes to himself as a result of his membership. Thus, social identity contributes to a person’s self-concept. Persons aim for a positive self-image. For this reason, they usually automatically strive for positive social identity and thus group membership, from which they gain agreeable valences. Therefore, each person differentiates his or her social group from the external world and sets it apart in a positive way. Membership in a particular, social category makes people favor their own group. Other groups are disparaged in favor of one’s own group. People categorize themselves and other persons on different levels of abstraction, but for social identity, according to the theory presented here, a total of only three of them are relevant. Persons classify themselves first as a human being, second as a member within a given group, and last as an individual. The assignment of identity as part of a group in turn cancels out parts of the respective individual identity. The consequence is a depersonalization in favor of the group. Only through this depersonalization can group phenomena such as ethnocentrism or cooperation be explained. In these processes, the individual no longer behaves individually, but conforms to the group and often orients his behavior to the prototype of the group.
Illnesses and complaints
Studies have shown that after a negative comparison with another group, groups attempt to compensate for their resulting negative social identity by looking for new social groups for themselves in the immediate aftermath that will improve their personal social identity. Direct attacks of a better performing group are also a means of maintaining a positive social identity for oneself.Studies show that preventing intergroup discrimination results in a lowering of self-esteem for group members. The reverse influence has also been documented. In connection with social identity, therefore, various psychological problems and illnesses are relevant. If a person is a member of a social group and perceives his or her group as inferior in comparison with others, this judgment can have serious consequences for the affected person’s self-worth. Normally, the affected person steers countermeasures to improve his or her own social identity again and thus gain self-worth. However, if neither changing groups nor discriminating against other groups is an option, the person’s self-worth remains bound at a low level. Negative self-worth can foster anger and aggression in the long run. Social problems such as envy and jealousy, sexual problems and inhibitions, or severe insecurities often occur. Serious illnesses such as depression, obesity, alcoholism, or obsessive thoughts and actions can also be a result of persistent negative self-esteem. Even when people do not feel like a member of a social group at all and do not feel they have a place in any one group, this relationship has a negative impact on self-worth. At the very least, persistent dissatisfaction is a typical consequence.
