Social Identity Complexity
Abstract
In this article, we introduce the concept of social identity complexity—a new theoretical construct that refers to an individual's subjective representation of the interrelationships among his or her multiple group identities. Social identity complexity reflects the degree of overlap perceived to exist between groups of which a person is simultaneously a member When the overlap of multiple ingroups is perceived to be high, the individual maintains a relatively simplified identity structure whereby memberships in different groups converge to form a single ingroup identification. When a person acknowledges, and accepts, that memberships in multiple ingroups are not fully convergent or overlapping, the associated identity structure is both more inclusive and more complex. In this article, we define the concept of social identity complexity and discuss its possible antecedents and consequences. Results from initial studies support the prediction that social identity complexity is affected by stress and is related to personal value priorities and to tolerance of outgroup members.
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When cleavages and conflicts come to align (sorting), the effects intensify prejudice and conflict between opposing political groups.
“Correspondingly, when cleavages and conflicts come to align—what we will refer to as sorting—the effects are synergetic in terms of intensifying prejudice and conflict between opposing political groups (18, 44).”
From How digital media drive affective polarization through partisan sorting (2022) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Roccas, S., & Brewer, M. B.
- Affiliations
- Open University of Israel (IL)
- The Ohio State University (US)
- ORCID
- Brewer, Marilynn B.
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2002-05
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 88-106
- ISSN
- 1088-8683 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7957
- OpenAlex
- W2128539234
- Cited by
- 1,696
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 88 · 2025: 96 · 2024: 116 · 2023: 91 · 2022: 85 · 2021: 100 · 2020: 108 · 2019: 136 · 2018: 136 · 2017: 95 · 2016: 97 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 78 · 2013: 70 · 2012: 71
- FWCI
- 41.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Power and Status Dynamics
- Keywords
- social identity complexity, ingroup identification, identity structure, stress, personal values, social identity theory
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