Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
One of the most fundamental insights in the psychology of prejudice and discrimination is can be found in "social identity theory." The theory, pioneered by Henri Tajfel and his colleagues, helps explain how the mere existence of ingroups and outgroups can give rise to hostility. The "us vs. them" mentality and the tribalism it evokes can be at least part of why groups have such trouble seeing eye to eye.
Features clips from NYU psychology professor, Dr. Jay Van Bavel.
Check out the full interview with Dr. Jay Van Bavel: opinionsciencepodcast.com/episode/social-identities-with-jay-van-bavel
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References
Brewer, M. B. (1979). In-group bias in the minimal intergroup situation: A cognitive-motivational analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 86(2), 307-324.
Brown, R. (2020). The social identity approach: Appraising the Tajfellian legacy. British Journal of Social Psychology, 59(1), 5–25. doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12349
Brown, R. (2020). The origins of the minimal group paradigm. History of Psychology, 23(4), 371-382.
Cialdini, R. B., Borden, R. J., Thorne, A., Walker, M. R., Freeman, S., & Sloan, L. R. (1976). Basking in reflected glory: Three (football) field studies.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(3), 366–375.
Dunham, Y., Baron, A. S., & Carey, S. (2011). Consequences of “minimal” group affiliations in children. Child Development, 82(3), 793-811.
Tajfel, H., Billig, M. G., Bundy, R. P., & Flament, C. (1971). Social categorization and intergroup behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1(2), 149-178.
Turner, J. C. (1996). Henri Tajfel: An introduction. In W. P. Robinson (Ed.), Social groups and identities: Developing the legacy of Henri Tajfel (pp. 1–23). Butterworth Heinemann
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Media Credits
Image of Henri Tajfel: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henri_Tajfel.jpg
Hockey Team: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canada_2012_WJHC_bronze_team_photo.png
Firework graphic: Videezy.com
Pie: freepik.com
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Opinion Science is a psychology podcast exploring the science of our opinions, where they come from and how they change. Each week I talk to social scientists and professional communicators about how the work they do reveals key insights about public opinion and persuasion.
Follow this psychology podcast...
Website: opinionsciencepodcast.com
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opinion-science/id1506227206
Twitter: twitter.com/OpinionSciPod
Facebook: facebook.com/OpinionSciPod
One of the most fundamental insights in the psychology of prejudice and discrimination is can be found in "social identity theory." The theory, pioneered by Henri Tajfel and his colleagues, helps explain how the mere existence of ingroups and outgroups can give rise to hostility. The "us vs. them" mentality and the tribalism it evokes can be at least part of why groups have such trouble seeing eye to eye.
Features clips from NYU psychology professor, Dr. Jay Van Bavel.
Check out the full interview with Dr. Jay Van Bavel: opinionsciencepodcast.com/episode/social-identities-with-jay-van-bavel
========================================
References
Brewer, M. B. (1979). In-group bias in the minimal intergroup situation: A cognitive-motivational analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 86(2), 307-324.
Brown, R. (2020). The social identity approach: Appraising the Tajfellian legacy. British Journal of Social Psychology, 59(1), 5–25. doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12349
Brown, R. (2020). The origins of the minimal group paradigm. History of Psychology, 23(4), 371-382.
Cialdini, R. B., Borden, R. J., Thorne, A., Walker, M. R., Freeman, S., & Sloan, L. R. (1976). Basking in reflected glory: Three (football) field studies.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(3), 366–375.
Dunham, Y., Baron, A. S., & Carey, S. (2011). Consequences of “minimal” group affiliations in children. Child Development, 82(3), 793-811.
Tajfel, H., Billig, M. G., Bundy, R. P., & Flament, C. (1971). Social categorization and intergroup behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1(2), 149-178.
Turner, J. C. (1996). Henri Tajfel: An introduction. In W. P. Robinson (Ed.), Social groups and identities: Developing the legacy of Henri Tajfel (pp. 1–23). Butterworth Heinemann
======================
Media Credits
Image of Henri Tajfel: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henri_Tajfel.jpg
Hockey Team: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canada_2012_WJHC_bronze_team_photo.png
Firework graphic: Videezy.com
Pie: freepik.com
==================
Opinion Science is a psychology podcast exploring the science of our opinions, where they come from and how they change. Each week I talk to social scientists and professional communicators about how the work they do reveals key insights about public opinion and persuasion.
Follow this psychology podcast...
Website: opinionsciencepodcast.com
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opinion-science/id1506227206
Twitter: twitter.com/OpinionSciPod
Facebook: facebook.com/OpinionSciPod
