Social identities serve functions beyond esteem, varying by group

Evidence

Other researchers have taken a different line, speculating that not all social identities are primarily driven by esteem enhancement motives. Among the other identity functions that have been suggested are self insight/understanding and ingroup cooperation and cohesion (Aharpour & Brown, 2002; Deaux, Reid, Mizrahi, & Cotting, 1999), social interaction (Deaux et al., 1999), uncertainty reduction and meaning (Hogg, 2000; Vignoles, Chryssochoou, & Breakwell, 2002), and continuity (Vignoles et al., 2002). Aharpour and Brown (2002) found that different groups (e.g. trade unionists, football fans, students) differentially privileged some of these identity functions and, moreover, the functions themselves were correlated differently with both identification and ingroup bias in the different groups. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 444

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Allport’s own contention that identity ‘content’ shapes expression — the chapter’s throughline. — connects to: Civic virtue rests on group identification and satisfying identities, not just self-discipline