Social Identity Theory and Conflict in Organizations

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Questions and Answers

What may trigger conflict between work groups in the same organization?

Supportive management styles

Competition under certain conditions (correct)

Shared common goals

Strong internal communication

Which of the following methods is NOT suggested for conducting academic research for assignments?

Exeter elibrary

Web of Science

Consulting textbooks only (correct)

Proquest search

What is a key component for achieving a good mark in academic essays?

Using only one reputable source

Writing purely reflective content

Providing in-text citations and a reference list (correct)

Limiting references to personal experiences

Which software can aid in organizing references for academic work?

Endnote Signup and view all the answers

What facet of conscientiousness is associated with a strong drive to achieve outcomes?

Achievement striving Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of categorizing people into social groups called?

Social categorization Signup and view all the answers

What are the groups with which we do not identify referred to as?

Out-groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three components of social identity?

Segregation Signup and view all the answers

How does social identity affect individual behavior according to social identity theory?

It influences behavior toward group norms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a social identity that may become more salient in specific contexts?

National culture Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the behavior determined solely by social category memberships?

Intergroup behavior Signup and view all the answers

Why might an individual's identification with a social group vary?

Based on context and situational factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following influences feelings of connection among strangers?

Forming social identity Signup and view all the answers

What drives individuals to maintain a bias towards their social groups?

Boost in self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon explains the strong prejudices against out-groups?

Ingroup bias Signup and view all the answers

In the 'Minimal Groups' studies by Tajfel et al., what criteria were used to assign the boys to different groups?

Their preference for a particular artwork Signup and view all the answers

How can organizations build identification among employees?

By promoting group distinctiveness Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the 'us vs them' distinction typically have on individuals?

Decreased cooperation with out-groups Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome when social identity is closely tied to self-esteem?

Stronger ingroup favoritism Signup and view all the answers

What can minimal group studies reveal about human behavior?

Us vs them dynamics can arise from minimal cues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor in building organizational identity?

High levels of competition Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive outcome of team identification within an organization?

Greater job satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What can high team identification potentially lead to, according to research?

Extra-role behavior Signup and view all the answers

How can team identification negatively affect employees?

Workaholism Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can foster team identification among group members?

Proximity and interaction opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What role does identification play in ethical behavior within organizations?

It predicts willingness to commit unethical behavior that benefits the company Signup and view all the answers

What organizational practice can create clear team divisions?

Giving teams distinct areas and uniforms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be a consequence of high team identification on creative performance?

Compromised creative performance due to conformity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following interpersonal factors is NOT likely to enhance team identification?

Diverse goals and objectives Signup and view all the answers

What does social identity refer to?

The groups to which an individual belongs and identifies with Signup and view all the answers

What did Tajfel suggest about social groups and self-esteem?

Enhancing the group status boosts individual self-image. Signup and view all the answers

How does social identity theory relate personal identity to group membership?

Personal identity is influenced by social identity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the historical context of social identity theory?

It focuses on group dynamics and intergroup relations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of team identification?

It enhances pride and self-esteem through group membership. Signup and view all the answers

Why do psychologists emphasize the importance of social groups for individuals?

They are central to personal identity and provide a sense of belonging. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the transition from 'Me to We' in a team context?

Shifting focus from personal identities to collective group identities. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the motivations for the development of social identity theory after World War II?

To understand psychological factors behind intergroup relations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

CLS1001: Leadership and Teams - Lecture 3 - Team Identification

Lecture topic: Team identification
Previous week's focus: Individual characteristics and their influence on teamwork
Shift in focus: From individual differences to similarities, moving from individual identity to social identity.
Social Identity: The sense of self derived from group membership.
Importance of Social Groups: Humans are social animals, and a large part of our sense of self comes from group memberships. (Tajfel and Turner, 1979)
Social Identity Theory (SIT): Introduces social identity theory, its application to teams, and the advantages and disadvantages of team identification.
Components of Social Identity:
- Categorization: Putting people, including ourselves, into categories.
- Identification: Associating ourselves with groups. In-groups (those we identify with) and out-groups (those we don't).
- Comparison: Comparing our groups with others – creating a bias towards our own group.
Multiple Identities: Individuals belong to many social groups (nationality, gender, ethnicity, hometown, school, sports teams, political parties, etc.).
Importance of Group Variace: The importance of these groups varies to individuals and impacting our identities.
Context-Dependent Identities: Different social identities become more important in different contexts. Individual behavior often varies based on the context.
Interpersonal-Intergroup Continuum: A spectrum between interpersonal behaviour (solely based on individual characteristics) and intergroup behaviour (solely based on group memberships). Most behaviour falls somewhere on this continuum.
Social Identity and Groups: Social identity turns strangers into individuals with connections, forming the basis of group behaviour. Categorizing others as part of a group facilitates social connection (e.g., communication, trust, connection, solidarity).
Effects of Identity:
- Positive Effects: Orientation towards group memberships that feel good or benefit us. Enhances self-esteem.
- Bias toward ingroups: Bias, favouring our own group
- Derogation of Outgroups: Disfavouring other groups.
Need for Self-Esteem: Personal achievements and favoritism toward the ingroup contribute to self-esteem.
Social Identity and Teams in Organizations: Organizations encourage team identification as a way to ensure team success reflects well on individual members of the team.
Building Identification in Teams:
- Distinctiveness: Emphasize how a group differs from others
- Prestige: Link the group to something desirable
- Salience of out-groups: Use comparisons to highlight advantages of the group
- Interpersonal Factors: Use shared goals, similarities, proximity for connections.
Organizational Strategies for Team Identification: proximity, clear delineation of team areas, shared time for interaction, team uniforms.

Consequences for Organizations and Teams

Positive Consequences: Team success viewed as personal success, motivations to achieve for the team, increased group cohesion and harmony, extra-role behavior (going beyond the job description).
Negative Consequences: Workaholism, working long hours, work-to-family conflict, unethical behaviour to benefit the company, compromising on creative performance, and potential intergroup conflicts.
Research support (citations): Examples of research studies used to support arguments (e.g. Blader & Tyler 2009, Riketta and van Dick 2005).

Assignment 1: Key Considerations

Supporting Arguments: Support arguments with academic research and theory.
Examples: Utilize examples from essay examples on ELE.
Citations: Properly cite all sources.
Databases: Use various databases (e.g., Exeter elibrary, ProQuest, Web of Science, Google Scholar) to find relevant journal articles.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of social identity theory, conscientiousness, and their implications in organizational settings. It also reviews methods for academic research and essential components for writing effective academic essays. Test your understanding of how social categories can influence individual behavior and group dynamics.