A Tale of Two Theories: A Critical Comparison of Identity Theory with Social Identity Theory Export

@article{citeulike:1686662, abstract = {Identity theory and social identity theory are two remarkably similar perspectives on the dynamic mediation of the socially constructed self between individual behavior and social structure. Yet there is almost no systematic communication between these two perspectivies; they occupy parallel but separate universes. This article describes both theories, summarizes their similarities, critically discusses their differences, and outlines some research directions. Against a background of metatheoretical similarity, we find marked differences in terms of 1) level of analysis, 2) the role of intergroup behavior, 3) the relationship between roles and groups, and 4) salience of social context and identity. Differences can be traced largely to the microsociological roots of identity theory and the psychological roots of social identity theory. Identity theory may be more effective in dealing with chronic identities and with interpersonal social interaction, while social identity theory may be more useful in exploring intergroup dimensions and in specifying the sociocognitive generative details of identity dynamics.}, author = {Hogg, Michael A. and Terry, Deborah J. and White, Katherine M.}, citeulike-article-id = {1686662}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2787127}, journal = {Social Psychology Quarterly}, keywords = {group, identity, mind, social}, number = {4}, pages = {255--269}, posted-at = {2007-09-23 10:07:09}, priority = {2}, title = {A Tale of Two Theories: A Critical Comparison of Identity Theory with Social Identity Theory}, url = {http://www.jstor.org/stable/2787127}, volume = {58}, year = {1995} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1686662 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1686662 N2 - Identity theory and social identity theory are two remarkably similar perspectives on the dynamic mediation of the socially constructed self between individual behavior and social structure. Yet there is almost no systematic communication between these two perspectivies; they occupy parallel but separate universes. This article describes both theories, summarizes their similarities, critically discusses their differences, and outlines some research directions. Against a background of metatheoretical similarity, we find marked differences in terms of 1) level of analysis, 2) the role of intergroup behavior, 3) the relationship between roles and groups, and 4) salience of social context and identity. Differences can be traced largely to the microsociological roots of identity theory and the psychological roots of social identity theory. Identity theory may be more effective in dealing with chronic identities and with interpersonal social interaction, while social identity theory may be more useful in exploring intergroup dimensions and in specifying the sociocognitive generative details of identity dynamics. IS - 4 JF - Social Psychology Quarterly EP - 269 TI - A Tale of Two Theories: A Critical Comparison of Identity Theory with Social Identity Theory VL - 58 SP - 255 KW - group KW - identity KW - mind KW - social AU - Hogg, Michael AU - Terry, Deborah AU - White, Katherine PY - 1995/// UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/2787127 ER -