Group distinctiveness and social identity of a low-status group

How members of a low-status group may strive to establish a positive social identity was investigated. The relationship among group identification, recognition of in-group distinctiveness, and evaluations of the group and members was examined, using structural equation modeling. The participants were students at a Japanese vocational school. The results indicated that group identification had a strong direct effect on both group and member evaluations and that there was an indirect effect mediated by the recognition of group distinctiveness. Further, the effect of identification was observed when it pertained to group membership per se but not when it was based on interpersonal attraction among members.
Predominant in the study of intergroup relations is social identity theory (SIT; Tajfel & Turner, 1979). According to this theory, discrimination between groups is a function of intergroup social comparison. [...]