Relations of Collective Self Esteem to Self Enhancing Behaviorin Salient Group Memberships
Abstract Investigated whether there were relationships behind motivations of collective self-esteem and self-enhancing behaviors in salient group memberships. Used a questionnaire containing the Luhtanen and Crocker (1992) Collective Self-Esteem scale and a subjects-rating attribute scale devised by Crocker, Thompson, McGraw, and Ingerman (1987). ... The intent of the study is to explore what variables appear relevant to the formation of social identity, in addition to examining how aspects of self interact to motivate behavior. The hypothesis is that as measures of Collective Self-Esteem (CSE) increase, so will tendencies to identify members of their group more positively, known as in-group favoritism, and as CSE decreases, tendencies to derogate out-groups will increase. Relations of Collective Self-Esteem to Self-Enhancing Behavior in Salient Group Memberships When some men start college, they can either enter the dormitories or they have the option to join a fraternity. ... Also whether their self-esteem plays apart in how they feel towards their fraternity. According to social identity theory, people prefer to belong to positively valued groups or social categories because positive social identities contribute to more general feelings of self-worth (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). When people are confronted with potentially negative social identities, they should react in a variety of ways—from attempts to leave the group to collectively challenging the current situation. ... It is this desire for ‘‘positive distinctiveness,’’ viewing one’s own group as better than other groups, that leads to in-group favoritism and out-group derogation (Hogg & Abrams, 1988; Tajfel & Turner). Social identity theory offers an appealing and powerful explanation for group behavior; however, related empirical research suggests difficulties for the traditional social identity focus on people’s affective evaluations of the group as a whole (Hinkle & Brown, 1990). ... Why don’t all members who feel that their group is stigmatized or disadvantaged derogate out-groups? In this paper, we argue that answers to both these questions require a model of group identification that considers both people’s evaluations of their position within the group (respect) as well as their evaluations of the group’s general worth (pride). The Group Value Model Both pride and respect contribute to people’s social identities, and consequently, to group-oriented behaviors and feelings of self-worth comes from the group value model (Tyler, Degoey, & Smith, 1996). The group value model incorporates the social identity theory premise that people use groups, and the authorities that represent those groups, as a source of information about their self-worth (Lind & Tyler, 1988; Tyler & Lind, 1992). However, in contrast to the early social identity focus on intergroup relations, the group value model developed out of procedural justice investigations of hierarchical relation-ships within groups. This research showed that people value procedures that are neutral, trustworthy, and indicate respect and consideration from important group authorities such as managers, judges, and parents (Tyler, 1989; Tyler & Lind, 1992). The group value model proposes that treatment by authorities communicates two symbolic messages about group membership. First, it indicates whether the person is a valuable and respected member of the group (respect) and second, whether the group, as a whole, is a worthy group of which to be a member (pride). In a review of four studies, Tyler, et al, (1996) show that feelings of pride and respect are related but distinct evaluations of important group memberships. They also show that feelings of pride and respect are linked to judgments that group authorities are trustworthy, neutral and respectful, demonstrating support for the argument that treatment by authorities communicates information about group memberships. Finally, feelings of pride and respect are related to people’s willingness to comply with group rules, the willingness to help the group, and their personal self-esteem. ... This research establishes the importance of pride and respect for understanding the relationship between group members and group authorities; however, all four studies are framed within traditional procedural justice research contexts and examine the relationship between particular authorities (e. ... Although the relationship between group members and authorities is a central issue for procedural justice research, it is only one aspect of group life. ... , ethnicity or gender) influences group-oriented behavior and attitudes, rather than the impact of personal experiences with particular group authorities. The purpose of this study is to broaden the scope of the group value model by investigating the degree to which pride and respect are important constructs for understanding group behavior in general, not just in the context of authority relations. It may be that these two dimensions of group membership are important only in contexts in which the relationship between authorities and group members is a central and salient aspect of group membership. Perhaps in less hierarchical or differentiated groups or when group boundaries are particularly salient or important, the psychological processes underlying people’s reactions to groups will be different (Barrett-Howard & Tyler, 1986; Sheppard & Tuchinsky, 1995). ... Pride closely resembles the affective and evaluative aspects of group identification as defined in social identity theory (Gurin & Townsend, 1986; Lau, 1989; Tajfel, 1982).