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"Me" And "Us": An Exploration Of Optimal Distinctiveness Threshold Model For Group Identity

Posted on:2024-02-25Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:W L KeFull Text:PDF
GTID:2555307178964319Subject:Basic Psychology
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Exploring how to fit into a group while maintaining the self in social relationships is a central issue in human social life.According to the social identity perspective and Optimal Distinctiveness Model,group identity is derived from a balance between the concepts of self and group,and there is an appropriate degree of self-group distinctiveness that can satisfy both the assimilation and differentiation needs of individuals,thus enabling individuals to achieve an optimal level of group identity.However,in general,empirical investigations of Optimal Distinctiveness Theory still suffer from a lack of clarity as to whether optimal distinctiveness exists and the range of thresholds,a lack of systematic exploration at a comprehensive level of distinctiveness and comprehensive group attributes,and a lack of clarity as to the psychological mechanisms.Based on this,the current study aims to explore the influence of self-group distinctiveness on group identity from a continuum perspective,to develop a continuum model of distinctiveness and group identity at two levels of distinction: The difference between the average level of the group and the self and the group’s own variability,and to explore the range of distinctiveness thresholds and the psychological mechanisms by which distinctiveness influences group identity.Study 1 aims to explore the effect of distinctiveness on group identity at baseline level;Study 2 aims to explore the effect of distinctiveness on group identity in terms of specific surface group attributes and deep group attributes,with Study 2A focusing on surface group attributes and Study 2B focusing on deep group attributes;on this basis,Study 3aims to focus on the mediating role of perceived uniqueness and perceived prototypicality to explore the effect of distinctiveness on group.Study 1 examined the influence of distinctiveness on group identity with mean difference and variance variability as two indicators of distinctiveness,and proposed to develop a continuum model of distinctiveness and group identity.Study 1 conducted a preliminary exploration using a forced selection paradigm and a more precise exploration of process indices using a mouse tracking task that reflects the selection process.It is found that there is a non-linear effect of distinctiveness on group identity at the explicit level,and that there is a threshold of distinctiveness at around the medium level(40% or 50%distinctiveness)that causes a sudden “slip” in group identity.However,there are differences in the specific patterns of influence and optimal distinction thresholds at different levels of distinction.Mouse trajectories also provided evidence for this finding,supporting the hypothesis that an optimal distinctiveness value exists.Further,Study 2 refined this continuum model,targeting specific group surface attributes and deep attributes,and explored the range of distinctiveness thresholds for different group attributes.It was found that,similar to the general threshold model,the threshold model for group attributes conformed to the “Landslides” Optimal Distinctiveness Threshold Model,but there were differences in the model trends and optimal distinctiveness thresholds for surface and deep attributes: The optimal distinctiveness thresholds were lower for deep attributes compared to surface attributes,and there was a persistent negative impact on group identity when the distinctiveness of deep attributes exceeded the threshold.On this basis,Study 3 explored the mediating mechanisms of perceived prototypicality and perceived uniqueness between distinctiveness and group identity.It was found that perceived group prototypicality mediated the relationship between distinctiveness and group identity when comparing differences with group averages,and that perceived prototypicality and perceived distinctiveness jointly mediated the relationship in parallel when comparing group own variability,with the two acting in opposite directions.Based on these findings,the current study proposes a Optimal Distinctiveness Threshold Models,which is an empirical demonstration and refinement of the Optimal Distinction Theory.Firstly,the model provides a more comprehensive elaboration of the continuum model of distinctiveness affecting group identity at different levels of distinctiveness,establishing a universal “Landslides” Optimal Distinctiveness Threshold Model and locating the threshold of optimal distinctiveness at an explicitly moderate level.Further,the model identifies the psychological mechanisms that generate optimal distinctiveness thresholds and describes the mediating role of perceived gourp prototypicality and perceived personal uniqueness.The model also provides inspirational suggestions and reflections for integrating into groups and managing teams based on the distinction between members and groups in terms of different group attributes in reality.
Keywords/Search Tags:group identity, Optimal Distinctiveness Theory, group attributes, perceived group prototypicality, perceived personal uniqueness
PDF Full Text Request
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