Social identification and interpersonal attraction in MUDs

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Utz
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Group Membership ◽  
Interpersonal Attraction ◽  
Group Behavior ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Ingroup Bias ◽  
Situational Context ◽  
Web Experiment

In social psychology, two forms of attachment to groups are distinguished: interpersonal attraction and social identification. A web experiment was conducted to examine whether these two forms of attachment can also be differentiated in virtual communities, more precisely, MUDs (multi-user-dungeons). Both forms of attachment occurred. As expected, the concepts were functionally independent from each other. Whereas interpersonal attraction became stronger with increased duration of group membership and was fostered by physical life contacts, social identification was independent from these factors. Instead, social identification was related to more cognitive indicators of self-categorization. In contrast to interpersonal attraction, social identification was influenced by situational context and predicted group behavior such as ingroup bias.

Major Theories in Social Psychology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Fiedler ◽  
Karolin Salmen
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Attitude Change ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Semantic Representation ◽  
Group Behavior ◽  
Change Motivation ◽  
Psychological Inquiry ◽  
Dissonance Theory

A synopsis of major theories of social psychology is provided with reference to three major domains of social-psychological inquiry: attitudes and attitude change, motivation regulation, and group behavior. Despite the heterogeneity of research topics, there is considerable overlap in the basic theoretical principles across all three domains. Typical theories that constitute the common ground of social psychology rely on rules of good Gestalt consistency, on psychodynamic principles, but also on behaviorist learning models and on semantic-representation and information-transition models borrowed from cognitive science. Prototypical examples that illustrate the structure and the spirit of theories in social psychology are dissonance theory, construal-level, regulatory focus, and social identity theory. A more elaborate taxonomy of pertinent theories is provided in the first table in this article.

scholarly journals Educating to Tolerance: Effects of Communicating Social Psychology Research Findings

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco La Barbera
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Ingroup Bias ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Research ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
School Students ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
High Motivation ◽  
Level Of Motivation

The effect of communicating social psychology research findings on ingroup bias in a classroom setting has been investigated. Two hundred and twenty one high school students either read or did not read a brief report about three classical social psychological studies, then completed evaluation scales for the ingroup and the outgroup. Participants’ motivation was manipulated, and the messages were different as regards the congruency between the content and participants’ actual intergroup experience. Results showed that communication exerted a significant effect in reducing ingroup bias for participants in the high motivation/high congruency condition, that is, the communication effect was moderated by the individual’s level of motivation and the content of the arguments proposed in the report. Practical implications of results for education work and stereotype change, limitations of the study, as well as possible directions for future research are discussed.

Caste, Religion and other Identities

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 147-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Searle-Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Group Membership ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Religious Identities ◽  
Racial Identities ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
The Many ◽  
Anthropological Literature ◽  
Different Levels

Religion is one of the many principles of social identification in India. It is becoming increasingly important – although, very often, what appears to be mobilisation on a religious basis can just as adequately, indeed more satisfactorily, be described in terms of caste, class or regional affiliations. Vested interests may encourage the reification of religions, and academics overseas, especially in Religious Studies departments, may, unwittingly, provide them support. This chapter examines the link between caste and religion, particularly in the case of the very lowest status groups. It suggests that both caste and religion mean very different things at different levels of the hierarchy. It then proceeds to look at the distinctive characteristics of religious identities in India. The discussion is related to wider debates about ethnic and racial identities and issues. Should class or interest group membership and allegiances be prioritised over other cultural identities, whether ascribed or acquired? It is argued that it is mistaken to reduce any one of these to another. Searle-Chatterjee draws on a range of historical and sociological/anthropological literature and also makes use of her own research in Varanasi (Banaras).

scholarly journals Ingroup Bias in Healthcare Contexts: Israeli-Jewish Perceptions of Arab and Jewish Doctors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Graham ◽  
Samer Halabi ◽  
Arie Nadler
Keyword(s):  
Group Membership ◽  
Strong Tendency ◽  
Ingroup Bias

The influence of group membership on perceptions of outgroup members has been extensively studied in various contexts. This research has indicated a strong tendency for ingroup bias – preferring the ingroup over the outgroup. We seek to further expand on the growing literature regarding the effects of group membership within healthcare contexts. Focusing on the Arab-Jewish context in Israel, the present study explored the influence of group membership on Israeli-Jewish participants’ evaluations when exposed to potential malpractice. Specifically, participants (n = 165) read a description of an Israeli-Jewish or Israeli-Arab physician who was either culpable or non-culpable of malpractice. Consistent with our predictions, findings generally indicated more negative evaluations of the Israeli-Arab physician, regardless of objective culpability. We conclude by discussing the study’s limitations and implications.

Identification Processes in Online Groups

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Gabbiadini ◽  
Silvia Mari ◽  
Chiara Volpato ◽  
Maria Grazia Monaci
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Group Identification ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Group Behavior ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Virtual Group ◽  
Identification Processes ◽  
Online Video Games

Online video games are a popular leisure activity around the world; such virtual environments enable new ways for social identity to develop. This study investigated the motives affecting social identification processes in the massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft (WoW). In this video game, players interact with other players in a tridimensional virtual world through their avatar. A sample of 92 WoW players took part in a data collection Web survey. Building on the theory of social identity, we tested the predictive power of three identification motives: self-esteem enhancement, optimal distinctiveness, and uncertainty reduction. Additionally, considering previous research on MMORPGs, we added identification with the game character and membership duration as further predictors of virtual group identification. The construct of virtual group identification was analyzed at two levels: identification with the faction and guild of the character. Furthermore, the current study was a first attempt to understand whether online identification may lead to group behavior such as evaluative ingroup bias. Our results indicated that traditional motivational theories of social identity were mostly confirmed. Moreover, identification with the avatar emerged as a strong predictor of group identity. Additionally, at both levels of analysis, group attachment led to an evaluative differentiation between the ingroup and outgroup. The findings are discussed in light of modern theories of social identity and media research.

People Like Us Have Got to Stick Together

2020 ◽  
pp. 111-136
Author(s):  
Brian F. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
Political Party ◽  
Group Membership ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
The World ◽  
Advocacy Campaigns

Chapter 6 focuses on the power of shared identity and values. Social psychology shows that we like to feel like we belong in social groups because it boosts self-confidence and helps to make sense of the world. Each person has more than one identity and maintaining social group membership is a powerful driver of political behavior. Highlighting groups and identities that we share is a vital strategy to relate to others and to encourage them to listen to political conversations they may otherwise ignore or avoid. Advocacy campaigns and persuasive communication about LGBT rights have been focused on shared, strongly held identities and values to shift opinions. This chapter discusses the benefits of focusing on commonalities rather than differences or things that are unknown, including shared identities as members of the same community or state, ethnoracial group, or political party, and of appealing to common values like fairness, equality, and patriotism.

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