[Project 3: Social Sciences Theory Evaluation
Hello, in this essay you will learn about a specific theory. A theory that happens almost more than 100 percent of the time. That theory is called social identity theory; a theory which happens in everyday life, no matter the age, social status, or whereabouts. Social identity theory is the sense of belonging and identity based on the person’s social status or membership to a certain group. Social identity theory was first introduced in the 1970’s to relate to intergroup relations. Even though this theory is pretty much everywhere, it is most useful throughout schools and college life. Most examples given throughout this paper are my own experiences here at the University of Mount Olive.
[Significance]
The real significance to social identity theory did not start up until a year later in the 1980’s. Social identity theory focuses on social influences and group norms, what the group consists of doing, rituals, routines, activities of such nature. There is a focus on the leadership and hierarchy of the group and how it enhances the person’s behavior on what they can do or what kind of behavior is acceptable to exhibit in public. Social identity theory works in categorizing the groups so if you identify as a student and so act as a student, studying, attending class, doing class work, etc., then there is a significant emotional identification to the group and self-esteem will be committed to the membership in the group (Hogg, 2016). There is a sense of oneness when it comes to the group that you identify to a certain prestige that is felt. Therefore, anything that is connected to a clique or group can affect people and their personality traits because of the indefinite feeling that is received from being a part of a group that seems to be like family.
[Social Identity Activities]
Social identification this leads to certain activities congruent with the identity that are executed or preformed. There are a lot of stereotypical perceptions that are associated to the person and to the identity and group that they identify (Padgett, n.d.). The social identity theory explains the social norms that I as basketball player and student experience. As a basketball player at the University of Mount Olive there is a standard and social rule for the basketball team to always be with each other, go to class together, go eat together, sit together, etc. The University of Mount Olive is really a small school developed of many social identities that are usually identified through the game that is played, such as basketball, lacrosse, soccer, track, for example there are even “lacrosse” parties, “soccer” parties, and so on. As a collegiate athlete, there is a standard to be academically inclined as into have all work that is given done and turned in on time around practice time, workouts, and games. With the people that I surround myself it usually consists of mostly other basketball players such as the teammates that I play with, the basketball girls at the university, other athletes, and even nonathletic or NARPS (nonathletic regular person).
[Social Identity Life Experiences]
Social identity theory explains the life experiences in my life and the people around me pretty well and how the behaviors that I exhibit and the behaviors that I see. Some experiences that I have had while being at the University of Mount Olive have been seeing how people have troubles self-identifying and being themselves. For example: If an athlete acquires attention from a person, some will give it to them because of the social status and rank of their being. Non-athlete students also tend to express negative attitudes towards athletes, particularly related to academic performance (Engstrom & Sedlacek, 1991; Knapp, Rasmussen, & Barnhart, 2001). Engstrom et al. (1991). In some cases, an athlete is treated different than a non-athletic person. When it comes to being academically gifted an athlete is not thought to be capable by most because of certain statistics. Similar negative attitudes towards student-athletes from non-athlete students in terms of academics and perceptions of more favorable treatment than the general student body. This is accepted by the general population because Social Identity is commonly changed among young adolescence.
In essence Social Identity Theory is a theory that is self-explainable. Social- Identity is how you fit in or accommodate to the social world. All people are not the same with this process. Some people adapt and some people create their own social hierarchy. In this chain there are inevitable fallacies and hopes. From the jocks in school who automatically cause a ruckus based off of their titles to the geeks who have to work their way up in the food chain. Everyone has a position to fill and when someone does not stick to the status quo they are considered to be abnormal or alienist. This example itself is a social identity theory. I will also say this theory is important to me because it gives categories to live in; which means it makes it easier to communicate and make closer friends within a certain sport, religion, club, etc. But on another token social identity can also result in bulling and people being left out, in saying that it’s not all good.