Self-categorisation, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but distinct aspects of social identity
Ellemers, Kortekaas and Ouwerkerk argue that researchers studying social identification should treat self-categorisation, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but separate components. In an experiment with 119 participants they varied the group's standing, its size and whether membership was self-selected or assigned. A principal components analysis showed the three aspects as distinct factors, and each responded differently to the manipulations and to own-group preference. Self-categorisation shifted only with relative size and group self-esteem only with standing, while commitment depended on both standing and the way membership was assigned. Only commitment accounted for own-group preference.
Ellemers, Kortekaas and Ouwerkerk argue that researchers studying social identification should treat self-categorisation, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but separate components. In an experiment with 119 participants they varied the group's standing, its size and whether membership was self-selected or assigned. A principal components analysis showed the three aspects as distinct factors, and each responded differently to the manipulations and to own-group preference. Self-categorisation shifted only with relative size and group self-esteem only with standing, while commitment depended on both standing and the way membership was assigned. Only commitment accounted for own-group preference.
Written from the abstract, publisher index record, 2026-10-31.
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Ellemers, N., Kortekaas, P., & Ouwerkerk, J. W. (1999). Self-categorisation, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but distinct aspects of social identity. European Journal of Social Psychology, 29(2-3), 371-389. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199903/05)29:2/3<371::AID-EJSP932>3.0.CO;2-U https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0992(199903/05)29:2/3%3C371::AID-EJSP932%3E3.0.CO;2-U