The balance between belonging and distinctiveness needs can produce intergroup bias.

Evidence

Although the categorization process may place the person at either extreme end of the continuum from social identity to personal identity, Brewer’s (1991) Theory of Optimal Distinctiveness suggests that there is an intermediate point along this continuum that optimally satisfies a person’s needs for identity. At this point, an individual’s need to be different from others (i.e., to be unique) and need to belong (i.e., to share a sense of similarity to others) are balanced. Optimally, perceiving one’s group as especially positive and distinctive relative to other groups satisfies both needs for belonging and distinctiveness simultaneously. Unfortunately, one consequence of this process can be intergroup bias. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 549 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Real inclusion in coalitions paradoxically requires marginalized groups to have separate space. — Michelle I. Gawerc, Coalition-building and the forging of…, 204; Humans balance opposing needs for belonging and uniqueness through group identification. — Anna X. Huang, Jacqueline M. Chen, and Juliane Degner, Being One or the Other, Both or…, 96; Emphasizing complementary distinctiveness can make intergroup categorization trusting rather than threatening (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• People seek a balance between uniqueness and belonging that breeds ingroup bias #corroborates (0.97) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 549