The process of becoming ‘we’ in an intergroup conflict context: How enhancing intergroup moral similarities leads to common-ingroup identity

With four studies (N = 332) set in a post-conflict context of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with members of two different ethnic groups (Bosniaks and Serbs), we have demonstrated how perceptions of intergroup moral similarity can act as an important precursor of common-ingroup identity. Research on common-ingroup identity has mainly focused on consequences and benefits of such inclusive social categorizations. However, very little is yet known about processes and conditions that could facilitate such inclusive social categorizations. In this paper, we report both cross-sectional as well as experimental evidence demonstrating how perceptions of intergroup moral similarity boost common-ingroup identifications in socially relevant context using members of real adversary social groups. Moreover, we show that learning about outgroups’ morality (with one vignette and one longitudinal intervention study) can facilitate such inclusive social categorizations even long-term.

The Effects of Ingroup Development in a Post-Merger Joint-Brand Context

<p>Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involve a complex relationship between two previously separate organisations. Social Identity Theory (SIT) has been applied to the study of M&As as a way to better understand this relationship. To date, SIT literature has focused on developing the relationship between the merging organisations, in turn relinquishing the identity of the pre-merger organisations in favour of the new organisational identity. This research examines the constructs of the pre-merger groups, focusing on the pre-merger ingroups as a significant contributor to success in the post-merger environment. In some M&As, both pre-merger brands continue to operate simultaneously in the post-merger environment, and it is in this context that the ingroup plays an important role in post-merger integration. This research looks at ingroup development within a post-merger joint-brand context in order to assess the significance of ingroup identification within the post-merger environment. Ingroup development involves generating member identification with the pre-merger ingroup, rather than building identification with the post-merger organisation as a whole. Although there is literature to support the continuation of pre-merger ingroup identity in the post-merger environment, ingroup identification has generally been seen as a hindrance to the merger integration process. A New Zealand based case study was examined to explore the significance of ingroup development in the post-merger context. The research looked into the effects of implementing an "ingroup development intervention" within the case study. The research design used forty semi-structured interviews to create a 'before' and 'after' assessment of the case study in order to gauge the effects of the ingroup development intervention. The findings of the research were analysed using thematic analysis, which was able to assess the change in participant perceptions over a period of time. The findings showed that the ingroup development intervention resulted in a perceived reduction in status differences between the pre-merger groups, as well as a reported improvement in both ingroup and intergroup relations. The findings suggest that in a specified context, ingroup development can have a positive effect on the post-merger environment. The results of the research hold implications for both theorists and practitioners. The research provides intergroup theory with a greater understanding of ingroup identification and the extent to which it is effective within the post-merger environment. For practitioners, the research exhibits the value in post-merger organisations committing to long-term identity development for staff.</p>

The Effects of Ingroup Development in a Post-Merger Joint-Brand Context

<p>Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involve a complex relationship between two previously separate organisations. Social Identity Theory (SIT) has been applied to the study of M&As as a way to better understand this relationship. To date, SIT literature has focused on developing the relationship between the merging organisations, in turn relinquishing the identity of the pre-merger organisations in favour of the new organisational identity. This research examines the constructs of the pre-merger groups, focusing on the pre-merger ingroups as a significant contributor to success in the post-merger environment. In some M&As, both pre-merger brands continue to operate simultaneously in the post-merger environment, and it is in this context that the ingroup plays an important role in post-merger integration. This research looks at ingroup development within a post-merger joint-brand context in order to assess the significance of ingroup identification within the post-merger environment. Ingroup development involves generating member identification with the pre-merger ingroup, rather than building identification with the post-merger organisation as a whole. Although there is literature to support the continuation of pre-merger ingroup identity in the post-merger environment, ingroup identification has generally been seen as a hindrance to the merger integration process. A New Zealand based case study was examined to explore the significance of ingroup development in the post-merger context. The research looked into the effects of implementing an "ingroup development intervention" within the case study. The research design used forty semi-structured interviews to create a 'before' and 'after' assessment of the case study in order to gauge the effects of the ingroup development intervention. The findings of the research were analysed using thematic analysis, which was able to assess the change in participant perceptions over a period of time. The findings showed that the ingroup development intervention resulted in a perceived reduction in status differences between the pre-merger groups, as well as a reported improvement in both ingroup and intergroup relations. The findings suggest that in a specified context, ingroup development can have a positive effect on the post-merger environment. The results of the research hold implications for both theorists and practitioners. The research provides intergroup theory with a greater understanding of ingroup identification and the extent to which it is effective within the post-merger environment. For practitioners, the research exhibits the value in post-merger organisations committing to long-term identity development for staff.</p>

Can ingroup love harm the ingroup? Collective narcissism and objectification of ingroup members

We examined how collective narcissism (a belief in ingroup greatness that is underappreciated by others) versus ingroup identification predicts treatment of ingroup members. Ingroup identification should be associated with favorable treatment of ingroup members. Collective narcissism, however, is more likely to predict using ingroup members for personal gain. In organizations, collective narcissism predicted promoting one’s own (vs. group) goals (prestudy: N = 179), and treating coworkers instrumentally (Study 1: N = 181; and longitudinal Study 2: N = 557). In Study 3 ( N = 214, partisan context), the link between collective narcissism and instrumental treatment of ingroup members was mediated by self-serving motives. In the experimental Study 4 ( N = 579, workplace teams), the effect of collective narcissism on instrumental treatment was stronger when the target was an ingroup (vs. outgroup) member. Across all studies, ingroup identification was negatively, or nonsignificantly, associated with instrumental treatment. Results suggest that not all forms of ingroup identity might be beneficial for ingroup members.

Imaginaires de l’identité collective au prisme d’événements sidérants

"This paper analyses the ingroup identity which emerges through three events, the Cologne attacks in January 2016, the attacks against the Charlie Hebdo journalists in January 2015 and the Yellow Vests’ demonstrations in France from November 2018 to 2019. It focuses on the images and fictions which are performed by the citizens as well as those which appear through the reactions of academics, journalists and politicians in media. It aims at revealing the accommodation of political myths and the way the representations of collective identity are built."

Virtual Reality and Political Outgroup Contact: Can Avatar Customization and Common Ingroup Identity Reduce Social Distance?

This study ( N = 217) explores the potential for virtual reality to decrease social distance toward outgroup members among women. Raising the salience of individuals’ real physical identity through avatar customization and common ingroup identity manipulations was theorized to influence social distance. Participants who customized an avatar to resemble their real selves showed increased social distance. However, avatar customization also increased user identifiability, which was linked to reduced social distance. Priming a common ingroup identity increased identity salience but did not influence social distance. In examining heterogeneous effects by prior levels of issue involvement, participants with high and moderate involvement with immigration showed increased social distance after customizing an avatar to resemble their real selves, thus implying boomerang effects. The study discusses how avatar customization, identifiability, and common ingroup primes in virtual encounters may influence outgroup attitudes and intergroup relations.

The Sociolinguistic Registers of ‘Malaysian English’

The interplay of four standard languages and a number of spoken languages makes Malaysia an interesting case of societal multilingualism. There is extensive convergence between the spoken varieties. ‘Malaysian English’ (ME) has developed its own structures which can be shown to copy structures of the mother tongues of the speakers at all levels of grammar, thereby being an example for localisation and the creation of a new dialect/sociolect. An analysis of the basilectal register of ME in ethnic Chinese speakers finds that converging patterns of ME and Malaysian (Chinese) languages, with situational lexical borrowing between the various languages. Sociolinguistically, ME plays the same role as any dialect, with covert prestige as an ingroup (identity) marker which is avoided in acrolectal (outgroup) communication. Spoken English in Malaysia can therefore be seen as a localised creoloid dialect of English, based on linguistic substrates. Sociolinguistically, ME is mainly an orate register for basilectal and mesolectal intra-group communication.