Social Identity Theory. In Social Identity Theory identity is conceptualised as being a product of our affiliation with other individuals who are perceived to have similar characteristics and social status as ourselves (XxXxxxxx and XxXxxxxx 2008). Social identity theory (SIT) can be a useful way of analysing organisations and social groups, particularly with regards to the categorisation of groups and the resulting group behaviours (Xxxxxxxx and Mael 1989). The formation of groups from individuals who share similar attitudes and beliefs create a set of behaviours and norms which are used to define and create cohesion within the group, and to provide a reference for which others can be excluded (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1989, Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx 2014b). Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx (1986) describe how Xxxxxxx and outgroup behaviour develops from social group membership; a feeling of solidarity and unity with those within the group (ingroup) and rejection and marginalisation of those outside of the group (outgroup). Social group membership provides a stable social identity that allows individuals to identify with those others with whom they feel that they belong. This behaviour is considered to be essential to provide the individual with a sense of self- worth and to create a connection between the individual’s identity and the identity of the social group (Xxxx 2006). The group membership of an individual as a framework for understanding the formation of professional identity in nursing is an appealing one as it is based upon a shared understanding about the role and function of the professional group. However, nursing care is, by nature, diverse, subjective and encompasses a wide range of activities. Therefore, any arbitrary definition of such a group role and function becomes problematic. Whilst it can be assumed that student nurses intend to become a member of the professional group (by virtue of their entry to the undergraduate programme), there is a tacit assumption that the student, and the profession as a whole, share a common sense of what this group identity is and how nursing is defined, which might not be the case.
Social Identity Theory. With their introduction of social identity theory, Tajfel and Xxxxxx (1979) began to explore the psychological basis of intergroup discrimination. According to their theory, a person does not have a unique “personal self” but several selves that correspond to overlapping contexts of group membership. For example, a person may simultaneously define herself as a member of a particular race, sex, family, and organization. Social psychologists claim that once she categorizes herself with others based on perceived similarities, she will gradually stop thinking of herself as an individual and instead begin to act like a representative of that particular group (Tajfel and Xxxxxx, 1986). Interestingly, an individual can simultaneously identify with multiple groups and may behave differently depending on which “identity” is most salient at a given time. In a study of Asian-American female undergraduates, Shih et al. (1999) found that subjects’ performance on a math test varied depending on which of their multidimensional social identities was made salient through a pre-test questionnaire. Participants earned the highest test scores when the questionnaire emphasized subjects’ Asian identity and lowest when it emphasized their female identity. Similarly, Xxxxxxxx et al. (2007) found that risk and time preferences conformed to common stereotypes when ethnic, gender, or racial identity was made prominent. Since its introduction, the concept of social identity has proven influential in understanding behavior in fields such as social psychology (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx, 1985; Xxxxx and Xxxx, 0000), sociology (Stets and Xxxxx, 2000), anthropology (Sokefeld, 1999), political science (XxXxxxxxx, 2009), and accounting (Xxxxx, 2003); and economists have recently joined the discussion. While standard economic theory has historically focused on individual-level incentives in decision-making, economists now apply social identity theory to analyses of the economics of poverty, household discrimination, and gender discrimination (Xxxxxxx and Kranton, 2000); education (Xxxxxxx and Kranton, 2002); and contract theory (Xxxxxxx and Kranton, 2005). An increasing number of experimental studies also explore the effects of social identity on individuals’ decisions. Within this field studies fall into two broad categories: those inducing group identity in the lab and those using natural and pre-existing identities. The former category, experiments that induce group identity, includes studies ex...
