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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Self and social identity
Naomi Ellemers1, Russell Spears, Bertjan Doosje
1Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, Leiden, RB 2300 The Netherlands. Ellemers@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Abstract:
In this chapter, we examine the self and identity by considering the different conditions under which these are affected by the groups to which people belong. From a social identity perspective we argue that group commitment, on the one hand, and features of the social context, on the other hand, are crucial determinants of central identity concerns. We develop a taxonomy of situations to reflect the different concerns and motives that come into play as a result of threats to personal and group identity and degree of commitment to the group. We specify for each cell in this taxonomy how these issues of self and social identity impinge upon a broad variety of responses at the perceptual, affective, and behavioral level.
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