Prosocial Behavior And Group Memberships

It is a well-known fact that belonging to a group can make an individual feel not only accepted, but more powerful that if they were on their own. Whether it is a community, youth group or even religion, belonging is an everyday occurrence of like that many of us do not even realise. Belonging to a group is more influential than belonging to an individual. We can see this in the texts The Crucible by Arthur Miller, 1984 by George Orwell and the listening task. Belonging to a group can give you a feeling of acceptance, but also can help you not to be targeted or marginalised. Also, people who appear to belong to groups, when looked at closer, in truth do not belong. Belonging to a group can also give you more power as a

A social identity forms when “an individual ties his or her self-concept to a collective or role” (Ashforth, Harrison, & Corley, 2008). A social identity is one that is shared by members and distinguished by groups, and members define themselves and enable others to define them based on the groups to which they belong (Miscenko & Day, 2015). A person’s social identity relates to their sense of self-worth, as “people attach positive value to their identities” (Miscenko & Day, 2015). An individual uses their social identity to affirm their self-concept through their social peers, seeking confirmation by “expressing identity relevant behavior central to role definition” (Miscenko & Day, 2015). Social identities are also used for self-enhancement by confirming both “positive and negative aspects of identity” and “striving to promote only

Conclusion: The study Demonstrated that people seek a positive social identity and that their social identity is affected by being a part of their group so that you are more positive towards anything that your own group represents.

In today’s society, identities play a big role in a person's life. To everyone that knows me, i am identified by being the “Greek Girl” that cares greatly cares for others more than herself. I am also identified by the person that does so much volunteer work that they wonder how i keep up with all the basics. I believe, that a person who can freely offer to lend a hand does so much good impact for the community. Volunteers impact everyone they help whether it be towards school, an occurrence of a natural disaster, or church.

Social identity theory is a person’s sense of who they are based on their group membership(s) (Harwood, 2007). “In social identity theory and identity theory, the self is reflexive in that it can take itself as an object and can categorize, classify, or name itself in particular ways in relation to other social categories or classification” (Stets & Burke, 2000). The social identity theory has been known to let individuals find their own niche and group that they want to belong to. This could include what the individuals are active in or involved in. Research has also found that the groups that they classify themselves in can cause the participants to look down upon other groups that they are not involved in (Harwood, 2007). Negative attitudes are more of a complex issue, but interesting ideas come from explanations that emerge for social identity theory (Harwood,

Poverty, a human condition, can be defined as a lack of social capital. In religion, rituals have the function of integrating personality and power. The ritual practices hold people as a unity. At the same time of integrating the believers’ thoughts, feelings, and aspirations, it brings together the strength of religious groups and institutions as well. This not only allows believers to have a space to fully vent their beliefs, but also enables them to transform spiritual power into a material force.

While we are often unaware of it, Forsyth argues, that our performance and motivation can be directly linked to the groups we have chosen to associate with, which can have a significant impact on the development of our identity and future decisions. The author discusses different social theories that can relate to our understanding of group

The article, “Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers”, by Peggy A. Thoits seeks to address that the more roles individuals occupy, the better their mental and physical well-being. Thoits says that social roles have salutary effects on well being because they are identities that provide individuals with purpose and meaning in life. The research problem being addressed here is whether role identities in fact supply purpose and meaning and whether a sense of purpose and meaning actually mediates the link between identities and well-being. The article discusses these issues, focusing on a case in point on the role-identity of “volunteer,” specifically, Mended Hearts Visitor.

Religion is a major foundation for many cultures. It is present all over the world in many different shapes and forms. But all religions have one thing in common, communality. Naturally, with rituals such as congregation people of religion are brought together. This community worships together, but this relationship extends further than the confines of a church. Members of the same church, or religion, have the same core values, and these commonalities result in a community that would not have otherwise existed. When there is a disregard for religion, there is a loss of community and thus a step

Sosis gives a few different examples of religious custom and calls attention to that each of them includes the individual loss of time, vitality, or assets, all of which would be required to decrease the weakness out of the groups. Religion capacities characterize bunches with what an individual human is related. Such gatherings need symbols to recognize who is and who not an individual from these gatherings so who is and who not a member of these groups so that group members will assist and aid only other group members. Analyzing Sosis' contention, there are one major issue miscreants. Religious ceremonies give such a signal to their members within their rituals. It would be simple to fake participation by wearing a material item and get the

Now moving on to social identity, it is important because it is an ingredient for social discrimination. In order for people to discriminate they have to belong to a group. Social identity theory suggests that people "remain loyal when they feel that their organizations have same values and appreciate them" (Tyler, 1999, p. 235). However, social identity theory maintains that when people feel that their organization values and appreciates them, it is a sign of organizational respect for them or of their high status within the organization (Tyler). High status is likely to increase people's organizational commitment because it enhances their social identity (Tyler). Therefore, social identity is reflected in people's self-esteem (Chattopadhyay, 1999).

There are many aspects of religion that causes positivity in the life of its followers. For one, religion is composed of a congregation of followers who share the same faith and beliefs that unite them with one another. Studies show that people, especially those without a family, feel comfort in religion because they feel welcomed by the members, along with being accepted by them. In many religions, members often gather together not only to partake in religious activities but also to pray together in

We as humans tend to relate to those that are similar to us, and tend to alienate those that we deem as different than us. Whether it is by race, gender, culture, or religion, it is something that is almost always present in human interactions, and often times can be completely subconscious. In our textbook Interpersonal Communication by Kory Floyd, an ingroup is defined as “A group of people with whom one identifies.” An outgroup is conversely defined as “A group of people whom one does not identify.” Henri Tajfel first coined this terminology while he was working to devise his social identity theory. These ideas of classifying people into ingroups and outgroups can lead to many

Rituals reduce anxiety by providing confidence and a feeling of control. Malinowski argues that religion promotes social solidarity by dealing with situations of emotional stress that threaten

One of the facets of living within civilized society is that there are certain norms and social conventions that people must follow. Frequently, there is a large effort on the part of government, financial, and social institutions to keep people doing most of the same thing as others going to work, driving cars, buying homes, etc. Despite the fact that people engage in these efforts individually, the simple fact that they are all attempting to do the same thing, in much the same way, is indicative of the fact that they are engaged in collective behavior. THESIS: Those who are able to overcome collective behavior and allow for their individuality to determine their own outcomes exemplify the best of human nature.