Collective identity shifts personal goals toward the group’s welfare

Evidence

Social Identity Theory also recognizes the fundamental distinction between collective and personal identity. That is, a person can define or categorize himself or herself alternatively as the embodiment of a social collective or as a unique individual with personal motives, goals, and achievements. At the group level, the goals and achievements of the group are merged with one’s own, and the group’s welfare is paramount. At the individual level, one’s personal welfare and goals are most salient and important. Intergroup relations begin when people in different groups think about themselves as group members rather than as distinct individuals. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 548

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Administered needs cause individuals to identify with and submit to domination — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 39; Shared identity generates expectations of support and trust among group members — John Drury, The role of social identity processes…, 16; Shared identity with a crowd increases helping and decreases pushing others aside. — John Drury, The role of social identity processes…, 56 (+7 more)