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Beyond old dichotomies: Individual differentiation can occur through group commitment, not despite it
Matthew J Hornsey1, Jolanda Jetten1
1School of Psychology,University of Queensland,Brisbane QLD 4072,Australia.m.hornsey@uq.edu.auj.jetten@psy.uq.edu.auhttps://www.psy.uq.edu.au/directory/index.html?id=43#show_Researchhttps://www.psy.uq.edu.au/directory/index.html?id=1197#show_Research.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Strong group identity does not prevent individual differences. Research shows that when group norms support autonomy, intragroup differentiation actually strengthens group commitment.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Group Dynamics
- Sociology
Background:
- The article addresses the outdated dichotomy between group belonging and intragroup differentiation.
- This dichotomy posits that strong group identity is incompatible with individual differences within the group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the outdated dichotomy between group belonging and intragroup differentiation.
- To demonstrate that intragroup differentiation is compatible with strong group identity.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of evidence from the social identity tradition.
- Analysis of theoretical frameworks concerning group dynamics and individual differences.
Main Results:
- Empirical evidence contradicts the notion that group identity and intragroup differentiation are mutually exclusive.
- Intragroup differentiation is shown to occur through, rather than in spite of, group commitment.
Conclusions:
- The theoretical dualism between group belonging and intragroup differentiation is outdated and empirically unsupported.
- Group commitment can foster individual autonomy and dissent, leading to differentiation within the group.