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Politicized collective identity. A social psychological analysis
1Institut für Psychologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany. simon@psychologie.uni-kiel.de
The American Psychologist
|May 2, 2001
Summary
This study models politicized collective identity, explaining how group power struggles within societal contexts shape identity. It outlines stages from shared grievances to societal involvement, culminating in group power dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Political Psychology
Background:
- Collective identity is crucial in social and political dynamics.
- Understanding politicized collective identity is key to analyzing intergroup conflict and social movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a social psychological model of politicized collective identity.
- To identify the conceptual triads and antecedent stages involved in its formation.
- To discuss the consequences of politicized collective identity.
Main Methods:
- The study proposes a theoretical model based on social psychological principles.
- It outlines three conceptual triads and three antecedent stages.
- The model integrates collective identity, intergroup power struggles, and societal context.
Main Results:
- Politicized collective identity emerges when individuals act as self-conscious group members in a power struggle within a broader societal context.
- Key antecedent stages include awareness of shared grievances, adversarial attributions, and societal involvement.
- The model highlights the interplay between group identity, power dynamics, and the wider social environment.
Conclusions:
- Politicized collective identity is a dynamic process influenced by group power struggles and societal context.
- The proposed model offers a framework for understanding how collective identities become politicized.
- Further research can explore the implications and applications of this model in various social and political phenomena.
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