Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
11:13
The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Sequential or parallel processes? A longitudinal field study concerning determinants of identity-management
Thomas Kessler1, Amélie Mummendey
1Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Lehrstuhl für Sozialpsychologie, Jena, Germany.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|January 29, 2002
Summary
This study challenges social identity theory (SIT) and relative deprivation theory (RDT) by showing that group dynamics result from parallel processes, not sequential ones. Findings suggest trait-dependent variations explain relationships between social identity and perceived deprivation.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Relative Deprivation Theory (RDT) offer frameworks for understanding group dynamics.
- Previous research often assumes linear and sequential processes in social identity and deprivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test an integrative model of SIT and RDT using a longitudinal design.
- To examine the relationships between socio-structural characteristics, in-group identification, fraternal deprivation, and identity management strategies.
- To investigate the dynamic interplay of these constructs over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal field study design.
- Trait-state analyses to examine dynamic relationships among variables.
- Statistical modeling to assess construct interactions.
Main Results:
- The interplay of social identity and relative deprivation is best explained by trait-dependent variation, not sequential processing.
- Stable functional relations and traitlike characteristics contradict linear process assumptions.
- Findings suggest parallel processes underlie the studied social-psychological dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The study challenges core assumptions of Social Identity Theory regarding linear and sequential processes.
- Results indicate that group dynamics, including identification and deprivation, emerge from parallel processes.
- Future research should consider non-linear, parallel models for social identity and relative deprivation.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:26Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
01:26Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
James Marcia's identity status model provides a framework for understanding how adolescents navigate identity formation through varying degrees of exploration and commitment. Marcia's model builds on Erik Erikson's theories of psychosocial development, focusing specifically on how adolescents reconcile individual aspirations with societal expectations. His model describes identity formation as a dynamic process where adolescents move between different states depending on their level of...
01:21Role-Based Identity
Role-based identities are central to understanding how individuals navigate social environments by adopting distinct self-conceptions aligned with various societal roles. These identities are not fixed traits but are constructed through personal actions and the social feedback individuals receive in context-specific interactions. Each social role, such as student, teacher, or friend, carries a set of expectations and norms that influence how people think, feel, and behave within that...
01:29Social Identity
Social identity constitutes a significant aspect of an individual’s self-concept, shaped by membership in various social groups, including gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Individuals associate specific traits with particular social groups, leading to internalization of these traits. For example, musicians are often perceived as creative, while women are frequently associated with nurturing tendencies. Once individuals identify with a particular...
01:29Processes of Self-Presentation
Effective self-presentation is a central component of social interaction and identity construction. It relies on the dynamic processes of defining the situation and engaging in self-disclosure. These mechanisms help individuals navigate social context expectations and manage how others perceive them, fostering mutual understanding and relationship development.Defining the SituationSocial situations are shaped by collectively understood frames—a set of widely understood rules or conventions...