Self-enhancement can reflect internalized worth, not just social comparison

Evidence

Tajfel and Turner proposed that a person’s need for positive self-identity may be satisfied by membership in prestigious social groups. This need motivates social comparisons that favorably differentiate ingroup from outgroup members, thereby providing a basis for restored or enhanced feelings of status and esteem. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 546 (#complicates, via linked claim)

The basic premise of Social Identity Theory (see also Self-Categorization Theory: Turner et al., 1987) is that people have important collective as well as personal identities. Moreover, with respect to collective identity, people obtain a sense of self-worth from the groups to which they belong, so that self and group identity are linked. Individuals therefore seek to belong to groups that are evaluated more positively than other groups, and will denigrate other groups and limit their opportunities in order to obtain this outcome. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1495 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Antillean self-worth depends entirely on comparison with others; People pursue self-worth through favorable evaluations of their groups — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1495; The drive for positive self-identity fuels favorable ingroup comparisons — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 546

Broader Connections

• The drive for positive self-identity fuels favorable ingroup comparisons #complicates (0.75) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 546
• People pursue self-worth through favorable evaluations of their groups #complicates (0.72) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1495