Social identity theory of intergroup conflict Essay

Social identity theory of intergroup conflict - Essay Example Based on the findings in accordance to the mentioned aspects, further explanation has been provided in respect of the behavioural implications of Social Identity Theory. Definition of Identity As explained in the Identity Theory in Walumbwa & et. al. (2011), the term ‘Identity’ is quite challenging to be defined with the use of a momentary and acceptable statement that can succinctly hold the range of its meaning. Conceptually, ‘identity’, as a term, refers to the social categories and sources of an individual’s self-respect or dignity at the same time, which often becomes a major driver of intergroup disputes. To put it in simple words, identity is the combination of what features a person or a thing beholds, i.e. the uniformity of a person or a thing at all the time. According to the study of Gao & Riley (2010), the identity features in a person commonly involves certain attributes that may be termed as â€Å"internal stickiness†, which at a broader context can be examined to hinder psychological knowledge ownership of a person and raise issues in terms of ‘possessiveness’. ... characteristic attributes or social behaviour or (b) may refer to socially distinctive features those are identifiable when a person deciphers a degree of pride in his/her attitude in a manner that is somewhat unchangeable but socially consequential, or (a) and (b) at once. The social identity theory expands the meaning of ‘Identity’ to a broader realm, which is completely different from the captured definition of the term in dictionary (Walumbwa & et. al., 2011). Notably, these two major attributes (a) and (b) differ from one group to another, reflecting through the individual role performances and hence, are likely to become a major reason of intergroup conflict (Walumbwa & et. al., 2011). Correspondingly, it can be argued that studying identity shall contribute towards the mitigation of intergroup conflicts and therefore contribute to a healthier relationship amid the group members. Significance of studying Identity in understanding intergroup conflicts The social ide ntity theory differentiates personal identity and social identity explaining that personal identity is an explanation and estimation of oneself in terms of idiosyncratic personal attributes or one’s specific relationship with other people. On the contrary, social identity is a description and valuation of oneself in relation to shared attributes that expresses the specific group’s membership one belongs to (Schwartz, 2011). As explained by Kraus (2011), social identity works as a member of group, and not as an individual. In self-identity, therefore, there is no outside influence to control an individual’s perspective one way or the other, whereas in social identity, a person’s self-identity is combined with the group’s identity, to which one belongs and becomes more aware of what they