Comments on the motivational status of self‐esteem in social identity and intergroup discrimination
1988/08/01 by Dominic Abrams, Michael A. Hogg · 1,275 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Cognition #Cultural Differences and Values #Developmental psychology #Gender Diversity and Inequality #Identity (music) #Interpersonal communication #Psychology #Self-esteem #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Social cognition #Social group #Social identity theory #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2420180403
published in European Journal of Social Psychology 18(4), 317-334 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 1988/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Abstract
Abstract The background and development of motivational hypotheses in social identity theory are examined, revealing two general motives for intergroup discrimination: a desire for cognitive coherence, or good structure; and a need for positive self‐esteem. The latter (self‐esteem hypothesis: SEH) has received most attention. Both the theoretical and empirical bases of the SEH are largely rooted in research using the minimal group paradigm. However, it remains unclear whether self‐esteem is to be considered primarily as a cause or an effect of discrimination. When real social groups are considered the SEH appears to provide only a partial explanation, and a variety of more or less powerful alternative social motives may underlie discriminatory behaviour. We explore some social‐structural, individual and interpersonal limits to the SEH, and we call for an awareness of these motives and a re‐examination of the good‐structure thesis. The SEH, as it stands, provides only a partial contribution to our understanding of the relationship between social identity and discriminatory intergroup behaviour.
Citations
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