People affirm collective traits they lack to stay connected yet distinct.

Evidence

In-group identity verification is a form of self-verification that is indicative of the degree of self/group overlap and occurs when an individual is committed/invested in a collective (Gomez, Seyle, Huici, & Swann, 2009). Self-verification allows the individual to validate qualities of the unitary self, whereas in-group identity verification permits an individual to verify collective qualities, including ones they do not personally possess (Gomez et al., 2009). Gomez et al. argue that individuals seek to verify in-group characteristics they do not possess in part because by doing so they are able to remain part of the group, fulfilling belonging needs, but by verifying qualities they do not share with the group, they remain distinct (Brewer, 1991). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 917 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Brewer (1991) developed the ODT. ODT extends the SIT framework by introducing two opposing needs that motivate persons to form social identities: the need for affiliation and the need for differentiation. The first describes the wish to be part of a group and to belong; the second describes the desire to be distinct, unique and differentiable from others (Brewer 2012). Brewer postulates that these opposing motives can both be met and balanced by identifying with social groups that provide optimal distinctiveness. — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 96 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Instrumentarian society reduces individuals to collective herd-like existence with no exit — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 1699; People verify group traits they lack to stay included yet distinct — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 917; People seek a balance between uniqueness and belonging that breeds ingroup bias — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 549 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• People verify group traits they lack to stay included yet distinct #corroborates (0.98) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 917
• Humans balance opposing needs for belonging and uniqueness through group identification. #corroborates (0.92) — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or Neither, 96