Mixed-identity individuals reduce self-concept uncertainty by identifying with entitative groups
Evidence
In his early work, Tajfel (1969) discussed the need for selfimage integrity as important influence on how individuals make sense of changes within their social group or in the relationship between their ingroup and other groups. In his uncertainty reduction theory, Hogg (2000) further developed this core postulate, conceptualizing social identification and self-categorization as a way to reduce the unpleasant state of (self-concept) uncertainty. People can feel uncertain about themselves or their self-concept in situations where they perceive themselves dissimilar from others, have concerns about fitting in and/or are insecure about what kind of behaviour is expected from them (Hogg et al. 2007). — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 91
Categorization
- DEFINE: Defines the mechanism: self-categorization functions to relieve the unpleasant state of uncertainty about one’s self-concept.
- XREF: Connects to Hogg’s uncertainty-identity theory literature and to the reader’s interest in how heterogeneous-group pressures shape identity. — connects to: Mixed individuals seek high-entitativity ingroups to reduce identity uncertainty — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or…, 29; Mixed-identity self-categorization strategies exceed what social identity complexity theory predicts. — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or…, 48; Uncertainty reduction pushes Mixed individuals toward whichever group offers the clearest prototype — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or…, 86 (+6 more)
Broader Connections
- Groups perceived as entitative reduce members’ self-concept uncertainty most effectively
#corroborates(0.85) — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 85 - Identity invalidation by mono-racial others shapes mixed individuals’ self-definition
#expands(0.75) — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 115 - Concealability of an identity and its normative status shape mixed-identity processes.
#qualifies(0.72) — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 125 - Mixed individuals shift identification within a single social domain.
#complicates(0.72) — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 79