The Henri Tajfel Theory of Social Identity
In the early 1970s, the psychologist Henri Tajfel proposed a revolutionary theory called Social Identity Theory. This theory is a major, though often neglected, branch in the field of social psychology. In essence, his theory suggests that by defining ourselves in the eyes of others, we strive to achieve a sense of identity. This article will discuss the details of the theory, its implications and its applications to everyday life.
Tajfel’s social identity theory has its roots in the concept of identity. Identities are our reference points to make sense of the world and to differentiate ourselves from others. Throughout our life we develop a number of identities which can be related to gender, age, race, religion, nationality, profession etc. Central to identity is the understanding of our own self in contrast with the others of the same identity group. In other words, through identity we create an ‘in-group’ and an ‘out-group’ – an us and a them.
Tajfel put forward the theory that individuals strive to maximize the positive aspects of their social identity. Within this framework, he suggested that individuals generally place higher emphasis on the positive emotions and feelings associated with their in-group compared to their feelings about the out-group. To reinforce this positivity, individuals will often play down the positive aspects of the out-group and emphasize the negative aspects. The laboratory experiments that Tajfel and his team conducted have become the basis of this theory.
Tajfels theory of social identity goes deeper and suggests that by developing a sense of belonging to a group, individuals can find meaning and purpose. As a result, they can develop a sense of group pride and cohesion and create a collective identity with others who share the same group. This goes beyond merely the feeling of identification with a group, and can create a sense of community, shared values, and beliefs. This community can be either large or small and refers to any group of people who come together out of shared interests.
The theory of social identity can be applied to situations in our everyday life. It is not simply limited to members of groups or organizations, but can comprise any kind of collective identity such as a national identity, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. For example, people who identify as LGBTQ or who are from minority races may have strong feelings of pride in their identities. This recognition of collective identity is a key part of forming strong, meaningful relationships and building a positive sense of self-worth.
Social identity theory can also have implications for social and political issues. In times of conflict, for example, individuals who share a common identity may be more likely to work together in order to counter any feelings of outsiderdom. This could be seen in the response to the Brexit vote in the UK, where the Remainers and the Leavers fo
