Thobeka Malinga

2097621
PYSC1009
Block 4 Essay
Identification with a group are the reasons behind an individual’s participation within
protests and join protest groups. Membership in groups is said to result in individuals
strongly identifying with that group.

In this essay we will be discussing the different types of groups and ones intergroup
behaviour using the Social Identity theory, I will be using the FeesMustFall group as an
example or rather as reference. I will identify the type of group that the FeesMustFall group
falls under and then I will discuss the different properties that it has. The essay will also
include the formation of groups in relation to the chosen group which is the FeesMustFall
group. The social identity theory, its bases and main components will also be discussed and
like done with the others we will reference the FeesMustFall group. The Social Identity
theory falls under the positional level explanation of intergroup relations and because I am
discussing how group identity influences one’s behaviour, attitudes, beliefs etc., the other
theories that are at positional level explanation of intergroup relations such as the Realistic
Conflict Theory and the Relative deprivation theory will also be discussed.
Groups in very early days of social psychology were seen as a bunch of people but then as
time went different theorist defined groups taking consideration their properties (Graham,
2016). There are objective groups: where the collection of people have common
characteristics, one type of objective groups is common identity group where all the members
of the group are linked to a common category e.g. Nationality. Membership to these doesn’t
mean interaction but it does affect behaviour (Branscombe & Bryne,2009; Taijfel, 1978).
Then there are subjective groups: where the members of the group see themselves as a group.
(Taijel, 1978) an example of this is the common bound group, in which membership means
face-to-face interaction between members of the group (Baron et al., 2009), the FeesMustFall
group is an example of subjective groups and to be more specific the common bound groups.
The interaction between groups is known as social groups, there are different types of social
groups the in-group and out-group and then the primary, secondary and reference groups.
(Moghaddam, 1998; Newman, 2012). The FeesMustFall group falls under the reference
group, with the reference group members do not formally or officially belong to that group
but do use it to identify themselves (Baron et al. 2009). This group is a guideline of one’s
behaviours, values. attitudes etc. (Augostinos, Walker & Donaghue, 2006)
Groups go through stages when they are still forming. Each stage has a task and process
(Forsyth, 2010) I will now be discussing the processes, stages and tasks involved. The first
stage is called the forming or orientation in the FeesMustFall group at this stage everyone
who believes fees must fall and everyone who needs free education come together, select a
leader and becomes ‘familiar’ with each other. The second stage is called storming or
conflict, at this stage with the FeesMustFall group there may be disagreement on the action to
be taken, others will want a peaceful strike others want to demand and vandalise etc. so some
might even leave or not attend meetings due to maybe not liking the leader or plan action.
Then comes norming or structure stage, which is the third stage. At this stage the members of
FeesMustFall group has a plan of action that everyone agrees with, the protestors are united
and they know what, where and how they are needed during the protest. The next stage is
called performing or development, during this stage the protestors are more hands on with the
preparing of the posters for example, they are just all working together to make sure the strike
successful. The last stage is called adjourning or dissolution, at the point the protest has been
done and the members have done all they could do and their request has been accepted/
rejected. The leader has no role anymore nor does anyone also so the group is disintegrated,
there FeesMustFall group anymore.

In the Social Identity Theory (SIT) the self is taken or viewed as an object that can then be
classified, named and categorised in relation to social categories and classifications, this
process is called self- categorisation (Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher and Wetherkell, 1987).
By the self-categorisation process one forms their social identity, some more complicated
than others. (Stets &Burke, 2000). Social identity is one’s knowledge that they belong to a
certain social category or group (Hogg & Abrams, 1998) it also means unity of actions,
perspective, opinions etc. (Stets &Burke, 2000). The social identity is formed in two
processes which both have different consequences, these processes are self-categorisation and
social comparison (Hogg & Abrams,1988). The consequence of self-categorisation is that
you will notice the similarities between you and member of the in-group and the differences
between you (in-group) and them (outgroup). Then the consequence for social comparison is
that the selective application of prominent (noticing) effect, primarily to those dimensions
that will result in self-enhancing outcomes for self. Social comparison is the reason behind
the two group levels, the in-group which the members belong or think they belong (similar)
and the out group where members do not or think they do not belong (differ from in group)
(Graham, 2016).

The bases of the Social identity theory are categories and groups (Stets & Burke, 2000) it
initially focused on intergroup relations but now there is an increase focus on intergroup
structural differentiation (Hogg, 2005). When one becomes part of the group through self-
categorisation they transform the way they view things and themselves (self-perception) to
conform to the way the group views things, they conform to the in-group prototype (Hogg,
Abrams & Brewer, 2017). For example, if one becomes a member of the FeesMustFall group
they will now see themselves as a fighter and courageous person and start seeing the
necessity of free education while before they never saw the need of free education and
thought they aren’t brave or courageous. The social identity theory is an example of a theory
that falls under the positional level explanation of intergroup behaviour, at this level the
individuals behaviour is seen as a result of them being part of a particular group (Graham,
2016). So the act of one protesting is due to them being part of the FeesMustFall group.
There are two more theories that are examples of the positional level explanation of
intergroup relation, namely the Realistic conflict theory and the relative deprivation theory. It
is important to note that social categories/ groups exist in contrast to other social categories
(i.e. FeeMustFall vs WeCan’tAffordFreeEducation), while one social category/group has
more power, prestige and status than the other (Hogg & Abrams, 1988).
The Realistic conflict theory focuses on the arising and dissolution of conflict between two
groups, it states that this conflict between groups is caused by the competition for scarce
resources, different interests and goals. These groups may also reach social harmony which is
when they both cooperative in activities that they both desire (Moghaddam, 1998). In my
case they might be conflict between the authorities and the FeesMustFall group but they
might reach social harmony when the protestors are being listened to and so they stop
protesting and peace is restored. On the other hand we have the Relative deprivation theory,
when the less prestigious and less powerful group recognises that they are undervalued and
have less social rewards compared to the more prestigious and powerful group (Bordens &
Horowitz, 2002). This leads to social discontent and unrest (Walker & Smith, 2002), and
because of that they will be motivation to bring about social change. The FeesMustFall group
might feel they are not protected and valued as much as the authories or they might feel like
they are at less advantage compared those who can afford the fees and so this might bring
about change in the fees and security of students.
People are social beings so they join and become part of specific groups that they feel they fit
into their self-perception, these groups then become part of their identity. The groups that
they identify with are their in-group and the group that contrasts with them is called the out-
group. The in-group represents and influences the character one becomes, this is an
explanation of individual behaviour at positional level. The FeesMustFall is a reference group
and not a primary or secondary group. The Social Identity theory is a good explanation of the
behaviour of one within groups and how they influence them as an individual.
References
Augostinos, Walker & Donaghue, 2006 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In
Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.), Psychology: an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Baron et al., 2009 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.),
Psychology: an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Bordens, K. S., & Horowitz, I. A. (2002). Chapter 7: Conformity, Compliance and
Obedience. Social Psychology, 2, 235-286.
Branscombe & Bryne,2009; Taijfel, 1978 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In
Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.), Psychology: an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Forsyth, 2010 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.),
Psychology: an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.), Psychology: an introduction (4th
ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Hogg & Abrams, 1998 cited by Stets, J.E. & Burke, P.J. (2000). Identity theory and social
identity theory. Social psychology quarterly, 224-237
Moghaddam, 1998; Newman, 2012 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In Ashcroft,
L.A (Ed.), Psychology: an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Stets, J.E. & Burke, P.J. (2000). Identity theory and social identity theory. Social psychology
quarterly, 224-237
Taijel, 1978 cited by Graham, T. (2016). Group concept. In Ashcroft, L.A (Ed.), Psychology:
an introduction (4th ed., pp 535-555. Lydia Reid.
Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher and Wetherkell, 1987 cited by Stets, J.E. & Burke, P.J. (2000).
Identity theory and social identity theory. Social psychology quarterly, 224-237
Walker, I., & Smith, H. J. (Eds.). (2002). Relative deprivation: Specification, development,
and integration. Cambridge University Press.