S - Social identity

S - Social identity How we become who we are through the groups we belong to Recognizable questions Who am I apart from my group? Why does criticism of my group sometimes feel like criticism of myself? Can I have multiple social identities at the same time? What is it? Social identity is the part of our self-image that is connected to the groups we belong to, such as family, profession, nationality, faith, hobby, or sports club. The concept is linked to Tajfel and Turner's social identity theory. Why can our brain do this? Group membership provides connection and helps us understand where we belong. At the same time, “we” and “they” categories can influence our judgment. How strongly that happens differs from one situation to another. Example from everyday life A football supporter feels proud when the club wins, even though he did not play himself. The group's achievement still feels personal. How can this occur within close-knit or closed groups? For Jehovah’s Getuigen, religious identity can be an important part of self-image. When leaving, that can raise an identity question for some people: “Who am I now?” Others already have several strong roles and experience less of a break. What can you do with this? Name the multiple roles that belong to you. Seek out groups where difference is possible. Distinguish between criticism of a group and your worth as a person. Questions to think about Which groups shape my self-image? Which role would I miss if it disappeared? Which new or existing identities do I want to develop? Summary We are seldom just one thing. A broad social identity can help when one group changes or falls away.