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Identity Theory and Social Identity Theory*
In social psychology, we need to establish a general theory of the self, which can attend to both macro and micro processes, and which avoids the redundancies of separate theories on different aspects of the self. For this purpose, we present core components of identity theory and social identity theory and argue that although differences exist between the two theories, they are more differences in emphasis than in kind, and that linking the two theories can establish a more fully integrated view of the self. The core components we examine include the different bases of identity (category/group or role) in each of the theories, identity salience and the activation of identities as discussed in the theories, and the cognitive and motivational processes that emerge from identities based on category/group and on role. By examining the self through the lens of both identity theory and social identity theory, we see how, in combination, they can move us toward a general theory of the self.
In contrast to Hogg and his colleagues (Hogg, Terry, and White 1995), we see substantial similarities and overlap between social identity theory and identity theory. We think that this overlap ultimately will cause these theories to be linked in fundamental ways, though we do not think that time has come. To show how such a merger is possible, we outline some important similarities between the theories; at the same time we note the differences in language, orientation, and coverage of the two theories as they currently exist.1
We believe that three areas are central to linking the two theories. First are the different bases of identity in the two theories: categories or groups for social identity theory, and roles for identity theory. A related issue is the place of person identities. The second area is the activation of identities and the concept of salience as used in each of the theories. The third area involves the core processes that arise once an identity is activated. In this regard we discuss the cognitive processes of depersonalization (in social identity theory) and self verification (in identity theory) as well as the motivational processes of self esteem (in social identity theory) and self efficacy (in identity theory).