Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Miller, Dale T.; Prentice, Deborah A.

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205001pmid: N/A

Turner, John C.; Oakes, Penelope J.; Haslam, S. Alexander; McGarty, Craig

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205002pmid: N/A

The relationship between the self and the collective is discussed from the perspective of self-categorization theory. Self-categorization theory makes a basic distinction between personal and social identity as different levels of self-categorization. It shows how the emergent properties of group processes can be explained in terms of a shift in self perception from personal to social identity. It also elucidates how self-categorization varies with the social context. It argues that self-categorizing is inherently variable, fluid, and context dependent, as sedf-categories are social comparative and are always relative to a frame of reference. This notion has major implications for accepted ways of thinking about the self: The variability of self-categorizing provides the perceiver with behavioral and cognitive flexibility and ensures that cognition is always shaped by the social context in which it takes place.

Hoyt, William T.

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205003pmid: N/A

Reputation formation was inferred from significant target variance in previously unacquainted group members' ratings of one another on dimensions of affiliation and control, indicating a consensus within the groups regarding each member's standing on these dimensions. These reputations were relatively stable over the four weekly meetings of the groups. Group members were able to predict the consensus about themselves, particularly during later sessions. Unexpected findings included differences in the patterns of consensus on the affiliation and control dimensions. As predicted, consensus increased over time on the affiliation dimension, although this increase was not statistically significant. On the control dimension, however, consensus was highest in the early sessions and decreased significantly over time, possibly reflecting the refinement of status hierarchies in the developing groups.

Abrams, Donminic

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205004pmid: N/A

The social identity and self-awareness approaches to group members' behavior are described. It is suggested that identity salience should not be assumed to have direct effects on behavior. A model is presented that attempts to address this problem through an integration of the social identity (specifically, self-categorization theory) and self-awareness approaches. This model distinguishes between salience of self; a perceptual/interpretive process giving rise to particular self-images, and attention to self behavioral regulation in relation to particular self-selected goals or standards. The model has greater flexibility and wider applicability to individuals' collective behavior than either the social identity or the self-awareness approach alone.

Prentice, Deborah A.; Miller, Dale T.; Lightdale, Jenifer R.

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205005pmid: N/A

Two studies sought to validate the distinction between common-identity groups, which are based on direct attachments to the group identity, and common-bond groups, which are based on attachments among group members. Study 1 focused on members of selective and nonselective university eating clubs. Study 2 focused on members of a diverse sample of campus groups. Both studies revealed asymmetries in group and member attachments: Individuals in common-identity groups were more attached to their group than to its members, whereas individuals in common-bond groups were as attached to the members as to the group (or more so). Study 2 also demonstrated that attachment to the group was more strongly related to various evaluations of individual group members in common-bond than in common-identity groups. The authors discuss the implications of these results for the development of groups over time and speculate on how the dynamics of the two types of groups might differ.

Bat-Chava, Yael

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205006pmid: N/A

Using a sample of 267 deaf adults, members of a stigmatized collective, this study tested three notions: (a) The ecological context in which group members live affects identification with their group; (b) group identification has a positive effect on members' self-esteem; and (c) several psychological mechanisms mediate between group identification and self-esteem. The first two notions received support. Family and school deafness were associated with group identification, which, in turn, had a positive effect on self-esteem both directly and through its moderating effect on the negative relationships between several variables and self-esteem. Data did not provide support, however, for the proposal that several variables mediate between group identification and self-esteem. Results highlight the importance of considering both the personal ecology of participants and their social-political context, as well as suggest revisions in theories on group identification and self-steem.

Crocker, Jennifer; Luhtanen, Riia; Blaine, Bruce; Broadnax, Stephanie

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205007pmid: N/A

A total of 91 Black, 96 White, and 35 Asian college students completed the Collective Self-Esteem Scale (CSES), as well as measures of psychological well-being (personal self-esteem, life satisfaction, depression, and hopelessness). Correlations between the Public and Private subscales of the CSES were near zero for Blacks, moderate for Whites, and strong for Asians. The membership and private subscales of the general CSES were related to psychological well-being, even when the effects of personal self-esteem on well-being were partialed out. However, when the three groups were examined separately, the relation of CSE to well-being with personal self-esteem partialed out was nonsignificant for Whites, small for Blacks, and moderate to strong for Asians. General and race-specific CSE were correlated for all three groups, although the correlations were strongest for Asians. Implications for symbolic interactionist views of the self-concept, for formulations of mental health, and for methodological issues concerning the CSES are discussed.

Cameron, James E.; Lalonde, Richard N.

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205008pmid: N/A

Ethnic identity in the context of social category memberships was examined in two generations of Italian Canadians. Ratings based on perceived value similarity between a number of categories (self Canadians, Italians, immigrants, religion, family, friends, social class, age, and Americans) were made by 57 second-generation Italian Canadians and one parent of each. Multidimensional scaling analyses revealed a general distinction between Old World and New World values. First-generation self-identity was manifested in a distinct cluster including family, friends, and immigrants. The configuration for the second generation suggested a bicultural orientation, congruent with additional data on Italian language use across situations. The cross-generational transformation of ethnicity within a system of social categorizations is discussed.

Gurin, Patricia; Hurtado, Aida; Peng, Timothy

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205009pmid: N/A

Factor analyses of social identity labels between two subgroups of the Mexican-descent population supported the prediction that the identities of English-dominant persons born in the United States (Chicanos) would be more differentiated than those of Spanish-dominant persons born in Mexico (Mexicanos). The content of their identities also differed. As predicted, because of differences in length of residence, language facility, geographic dispersal, and likelihood of working in ethnically diverse settings, Chicanos and Mexicanos had different patterns of intra-group and intergroup contacts. Chicanos had less contact with other persons of Mexican descent and more contact with members of other ethnic groups. Predicted relationships between group contacts and social identities were better supported for Chicanos than for Mexicanos. Overall, the study supports the general framework offered in which macrosocial conditions set up particular microsocial conditions (group contacts) that, in turn, influence the formation of social identities.

Kowalski, Robin M.; Wolfe, Randall

doi: 10.1177/0146167294205010pmid: N/A

Two experiments examined the extent to which individual differences in collective identity orientation moderate perceptions of the United States following national success and failure. Participants classified as low or high on both personal and collective identity orientations read fictitious news stories desaibing actions by the United States in response to emergencies. For each story, the United States was portrayed as responding effectively (successful outcome) or failing to act quickly and efficiently (failure outcome). In Experiment 1, among subjects low in personal identity orientation, those high in collective identity orientation rated the United States more favorably following national failure than subjects low in collective identity. In Experiment 2, sujects' beliefs about whether their responses would be private or public were also manipulated. The results replicated Experiment 1, but no effects of the publicity of subjects' responses were obtained, suggesting that the results reflect self-esteem maintenance rather than self presentational motivations.