Social identity theory’s contribution is integrative rather than wholly original

Evidence

Many of the points and hypotheses we have advanced in this chapter are not, in themselves, new (see, for instance, Sherif, 1967; Runciman, 1966; Milner, 1975; Billig, 1976). What is new, we think, is the integration of the three processes of social categorization, self-evaluation through social identity, and intergroup social comparison, into a coherent and testable framework for contributing to the explanation of various forms of intergroup behavior, social conflict, and social change. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2757

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies what social identity theory actually is: not new facts, but the synthesis of categorization, self-evaluation, and social comparison into one testable framework.