People verify group traits they lack to stay included 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

Categorization

• XREF: Relevant to the ingroup/outgroup mechanism thread — self-verification of collective traits not personally possessed is a subtle mechanism for holding group identity without full conformity, echoing the Allport reassessment theme of flexible identity. — connects to: People display originality within group conventions to signal difference safely — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 178; People trade off imitation against distinction based on their status position — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 182; People signal status by using symbols associated with top groups — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 210
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 917