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The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
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Threats to social identity can trigger social deviance.
Peter Belmi1, Rodolfo Cortes Barragan2, Margaret A Neale2
1Stanford University, CA, USA pbelmi@stanford.edu.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|February 26, 2015
Summary
Threats to social identity can lead to deviant behaviors like stealing and cheating. This occurs because people perceive such threats as ongoing group devaluation, not isolated events.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Deviant behaviors are often studied through sociological lenses.
- A social-psychological perspective on deviance is less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between social identity threats and deviant attitudes/behaviors.
- To understand the psychological mechanisms underlying this connection.
Main Methods:
- A correlational study.
- Five subsequent experiments involving social identity threat induction.
Main Results:
- Experiencing or recalling social identity devaluation led to increased endorsement of deviant actions.
- Deviant behaviors included stealing, cheating, and lying.
- Participants interpreted identity threats as symbolic of group devaluation.
Conclusions:
- Threats to social identity can be a significant predictor of deviant behavior.
- A social-psychological framework offers valuable insights into deviance and delinquency.
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