This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (16) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Brewer, M. B. Articles by Pierce, K. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brewer, M. B. Articles by Pierce, K. P. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Social Identity Complexity and Outgroup Tolerance

Ohio State University, brewer.64{at}osu.edu

Kathleen P. Pierce

Ohio State University

Social identity complexity refers to the way in which individuals subjectively represent the relationships among their multiple ingroup memberships. More specifically, individuals with low social identity complexity see their ingroups as highly overlapping and convergent, whereas those with high complexity see their different ingroups as distinct and cross-cutting membership groups. The present study tested the hypothesis that perceived overlap among ingroup memberships would be negatively related to ingroup inclusiveness and tolerance for outgroups, such that individuals with high overlap (low complexity) would be less tolerant and accepting of outgroups in general than those with low overlap (high complexity). Results from a telephone interview survey of adult residents of the state of Ohio supported this hypothesis. Individual differences in complexity of perception of their national, religious, occupational, political, and recreational social identities were systematically related to their attitudes toward ethnic outgroups and diversity.

Key Words: multiple social identities • group membership • ingroup inclusiveness • tolerance • outgroup attitudes

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 3, 428-437 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167204271710


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Schmid, M. Hewstone, N. Tausch, E. Cairns, and J. Hughes Antecedents and Consequences of Social Identity Complexity: Intergroup Contact, Distinctiveness Threat, and Outgroup Attitudes Pers Soc Psychol Bull, August 1, 2009; 35(8): 1085 - 1098. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. P. Miller, M. B. Brewer, and N. L. Arbuckle Social Identity Complexity: Its Correlates and Antecedents Group Processes Intergroup Relations, January 1, 2009; 12(1): 79 - 94. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O. Hargie, D. Dickson, J. Mallett, and M. Stringer Communicating Social Identity: A Study of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland Communication Research, December 1, 2008; 35(6): 792 - 821. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. E. Ashforth, S. H. Harrison, and K. G. Corley Identification in Organizations: An Examination of Four Fundamental Questions Journal of Management, June 1, 2008; 34(3): 325 - 374. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. D. Livingston and L. Sinclair Taking the Watchdog Off Its Leash: Personal Prejudices and Situational Motivations Jointly Predict Derogation of a Stigmatized Source Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 2008; 34(2): 210 - 223. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. M. B. Thatcher and L. L. Greer Does It Really Matter If You Recognize Who I Am? The Implications of Identity Comprehension for Individuals in Work Teams{dagger} Journal of Management, February 1, 2008; 34(1): 5 - 24. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Adil Saribay and S. M. Andersen Relational to Collective: Significant-Other Representations, Ethnic Categories, and Intergroup Perceptions Pers Soc Psychol Bull, December 1, 2007; 33(12): 1714 - 1726. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. E. Amiot, R. de la Sablonniere, D. J. Terry, and J. R. Smith Integration of Social Identities in the Self: Toward a Cognitive-Developmental Model Personality and Social Psychology Review, November 1, 2007; 11(4): 364 - 388. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Verkuyten Religious Group Identification and Inter-Religious Relations: A Study Among Turkish-Dutch Muslims Group Processes Intergroup Relations, July 1, 2007; 10(3): 341 - 357. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Medvene, K. Grosch, and N. Swink Interpersonal Complexity: A Cognitive Component of Person-Centered Care Gerontologist, April 1, 2006; 46(2): 220 - 226. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]