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The reaction of residents of a small district in the Northeast of England to the perceived compromising of existing community boundaries was examined in the light of Tajfel and Turner's (1986) social identity theory. Social identity theory was found to provide a useful framework for explaining specific psychological reactions of residents and spokespersons to the perception of ingroup status inferiority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although community identity is an area of research interest with important ramifications for all those concerned with issues of community. This paper argues that, with the possible exception of the psychological sense of community (PSOC). There is relatively link coordinated research emerging under the influence of a strong body of psychological theory. An approach emphasizing the common ground between this and related psychological approaches is put forward, such that both the common and unique qualities of the identities of communities might be made subject to rigorous and meaningful analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]