Henri Tajfel created social identity theory in 1979 to explain how people derive self-esteem and identity from the social groups they belong to. People seek to positively distinguish their in-group from out-groups to enhance their self-image. Stereotyping helps categorize people into in-groups and out-groups based on similarities within groups and differences between them, which can lead to prejudice. The theory involves three processes: social categorization where people are stereotyped into groups, social identification where people adopt their in-group identity, and social comparison where in-groups are compared to out-groups to maintain self-esteem.

1. SOCIAL
IDENTITY
THEORY

2. TAJFEL
Henri Tajfel created the social identity theory in 1979 – he
proposed that groups, such as social class football teams and
family, which people belonged to, were an important source of
pride and self esteem. These groups give us a sense of identity
and a sense of belonging in the social world.
To increase our self image, we must enhance the status of our
group, for example ‘Arsenal is the best football tem ever!’.
Increasing our self image can also come from discriminating
against the other groups we do not belong to, for example
‘Chelsea are losers!’ – therefore dividing the world into ‘us’ and
‘them’. The central hypothesis of social identity theory states
the in-group members will actively seek to find negative aspects
of an out-group – in turn, enhancing their self image. Extreme
forms of this can be racism and sexism.

3. TAJFEL
Tajfel also proposed that stereotyping is a normal process,
and that we do this by grouping together the differences
between groups and the similarities of the things in the same
group.
We categorize people in the same way – we see the group we
belong to (the in-group), as being different to others (the out-
group). The members of the same group as being more
similar.
Stereotypes is one explanation for prejudice attitudes, which
eventually leads to in-groups and out-groups.

4. THEORY OUTLINE
There are three mental processes involved in evaluating the ‘in-group’
and the ‘out-group’.
First, is social categorization, we stereotype people to understand the
social environment, this can be via race, religion or occupation.
Second is social identification, we adopt the identity of the group we
belong to. An example of this, if you categorize yourself or someone as
a student, you will adopt the identity of a student and begin to act in a
way you believe students to act in.
The final stage is social comparison. Once we have categorized
ourselves, we end to compare that group with out groups in order for
our self esteem to be maintained. Once two groups identify themselves
as rivals, they are forced to compete in order for members to maintain
their self esteem.