service navigation

EASP – European Association of Social Psychology

EASP Seedcorn Grant Report

29.10.2024, by Media Account in grant report

By Chiara Imperato, Sara Panerati, Bao-Thi Van Cong, and Mei Xie

Chiara Imperato, Sara Panerati, Bao-Thi Van Cong, Mei Xie
Chiara Imperato, Sara Panerati, Bao-Thi Van Cong, Mei Xie

1. Theoretical Background

Social Identity Complexity (SIC), a concept derived from Self-Categorization Theory (Turner et al., 1987) and the notion of cross-cutting group membership (Prentice et al., 1994), provides a nuanced perspective on how individuals manage multiple social identities and the extent to which these identities influence their attitudes and behaviors. SIC theory posits that individuals simultaneously belong to multiple social groups, and the perceived relationships between these groups define their level of identity complexity (Roccas & Brewer, 2002). Specifically, SIC is characterized by two key dimensions: the degree of overlap and the similarity between the groups to which an individual belongs. High SIC occurs when individuals perceive low overlap and high differentiation between their social groups, leading to a more complex and nuanced self-concept. Conversely, low SIC reflects a perception of high overlap and similarity among social groups, resulting in a more simplified and less differentiated social identity.

Research has shown that individuals with high SIC are more likely to exhibit inclusive and tolerant attitudes toward outgroups, as their complex social identity allows them to integrate multiple perspectives and navigate social differences more effectively (Brewer & Pierce, 2005; Xin, Xin, & Lin, 2016). This inclusivity is crucial in diverse societies where intergroup interactions are common, and it has been linked to reduced prejudice and improved intergroup relations (Schmid et al., 2009, 2013). Additionally, reduced intergroup bias, including temporal intergroup bias, has been associated with increased pro-environmental actions, suggesting that interventions aimed at reducing such biases may help promote environmental protection (Meleady & Crisp, 2017). SIC has also been associated with greater empathy, openness to diversity, and a stronger sense of global citizenship, which may extend to environmental concerns (Roccas et al., 2008; Carmona et al., 2022).

The connection between SIC and pro-environmental behavior, however, remains an underexplored area in social psychology. While existing literature highlights the positive impact of SIC on intergroup attitudes and behaviors, there is a need to investigate whether these inclusive attitudes translate into pro-environmental actions. The environmental crisis is inherently a global challenge that requires collective action across diverse social groups. Individuals with high SIC, who are more attuned to the intersections of social identities and the complexities of group memberships, may be particularly well-positioned to engage in behaviors that address environmental issues.

Pro-environmental behavior, traditionally studied as an individual decision-making process, can also be understood as a collective phenomenon influenced by social identities (Fritsche et al., 2011; Running, 2013). People who perceive themselves as part of broader, more inclusive social categories—such as global citizens—may be more likely to adopt pro-environmental behaviors because they recognize the interconnectedness of their actions with global outcomes. Moreover, SIC may facilitate the reorientation of group-based favoritism toward a more inclusive “we,” encompassing all of humanity and the natural environment (Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000; Gaertner et al., 2016).

Our project aims to bridge the gap in the literature by empirically testing the relationship between SIC and pro-environmental behavior. We hypothesize that individuals with higher SIC are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, both directly and indirectly. Directly, we expect that a complex social identity fosters a broader understanding of environmental issues as part of one's social responsibilities. Indirectly, we propose that this relationship is mediated by positive outgroup attitudes and a strong identification with global citizenship, which together catalyze sustainable behaviors.

The longitudinal design of this study, involving multiple waves of data collection, allows us to explore both the intentional and actual behaviors of individuals over time. This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of how SIC influences not only the intention to act but also the actual enactment of pro-environmental behaviors. By contributing to the existing body of knowledge on social identity and environmental psychology, this research has the potential to inform the development of more inclusive and effective environmental policies and interventions.

2. Activities Undertaken

The project officially began in June 2024 with the initiation of the first wave of data collection through the Prolific platform. During this wave, we collected data from 270 participants who completed an online survey measuring SIC, outgroup attitudes, global citizenship, and pro-environmental behavioral intentions.

In August 2024, we conducted the second wave of data collection, gathering responses from 240 participants. This second wave followed the same structure as the first, allowing us to begin examining changes and consistencies in the measured variables over time.

Thus far, we have completed two out of the planned three waves of data collection. The second and the third waves will focus on assessing actual pro-environmental behaviors, reported retrospectively by participants.

3. Realization of Original Goals

Our original goals were to longitudinally investigate the impact of SIC on pro-environmental behaviors, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of outgroup attitudes and global citizenship identification. We have successfully collected high-quality data that will allow us to test our hypotheses regarding both the direct and indirect effects of SIC on pro-environmental behavior.

The progress made thus far indicates that we are well on track to meet our research objectives. The financial support from the EASP has been crucial, particularly in compensating participants for their time, which has enabled robust participation and data collection. The final wave of data collection, followed by data analysis and manuscript preparation, will complete the project.

4. Contribution to Wider Research Activities

The findings from this project will contribute significantly to the broader field of social psychology by offering new insights into the role of social identity in promoting environmentally sustainable behaviors. The study's focus on SIC provides a novel perspective that extends beyond traditional approaches to understanding pro-environmental behavior, which often emphasize single identities, such as pro-environmental identity, rather than the complexity of various social identities.

Moreover, this research has practical implications for the development of more effective environmental policies and educational programs. By understanding how complex social identities can foster a sense of global citizenship and pro-environmental action, policymakers and educators can design interventions that leverage these identities to encourage collective action toward sustainability.

5. Future Steps

The remaining steps include completing the third wave of data collection, which is scheduled to begin shortly. This will be followed by comprehensive data analysis using cross-lagged analyses and Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling to test our hypotheses. We will then prepare the manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal and present our findings at relevant academic conferences.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Joshua Parmenter for his contribution to the project’s concept: our progress is in part due to his efforts, so thank you Josh!

References

Brewer, M. B., & Pierce, K. P. (2005). Social Identity Complexity and Outgroup Tolerance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(3), 428–437. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167204271710
Carmona, M., Guerra, R., Dovidio, J. F., Hofhuis, J., & Sindic, D. (2022). Unpacking all-inclusive superordinate categories: Comparing correlates and consequences of global citizenship and human identities. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 986075. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986075
Fritsche, I., Jonas, E., & Kessler, T. (2011). Collective reactions to threat: Implications for intergroup conflict and for solving societal crises. Social Issues and Policy Review, 5(1), 101-136. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-2409.2011.01027.x
Gaertner, S. L., & Dovidio, J. F. (2000). Reducing Intergroup Bias: The Common Ingroup Identity Model (1st ed.). London: Psychology Press.
Gaertner, S. L., Dovidio, J. F., Guerra, R., Hehman, E., & Saguy, T. (2016). A common ingroup identity: Categorization, identity, and intergroup relations. In T. D. Nelson (Ed.), Handbook of Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination (pp. 433–454). London: Psychology Press.
Prentice, D. A., Miller, D. T., & Lightdale, J. R. (1994). Asymmetries in attachments to groups and to their members: Distinguishing between common-identity and common-bond groups. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20(5), 484–493. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167294205005
Roccas, S., & Brewer, M. B. (2002). Social Identity Complexity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6(2), 88–106. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0602_01
Meleady, R., & Crisp, R. J. (2017). Redefining climate change inaction as temporal intergroup bias: Temporally adapted interventions for reducing prejudice may help elicit environmental protection. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 53, 206-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.08.005
Roccas, S., Sagiv, L., Schwartz, S. H., Halevy, N., & Eidelson, R. (2008). Toward a unifying model of identification with groups: Integrating theoretical perspectives. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 12(3), 280-306. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868308319225
Running, K. (2013). World citizenship and concern for global warming: Building the case for a strong international civil society. Social Forces, 92(1), 377-399. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sot077
Schmid, K., Hewstone, M., & Ramiah, A. A. (2013). Neighborhood diversity and social identity complexity: Implications for intergroup relations. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 4(2), 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550612446972
Schmid, K., Hewstone, M., Tausch, N., Cairns, E., & Hughes, J. (2009). Antecedents and Consequences of Social Identity Complexity: Intergroup Contact, Distinctiveness Threat, and Outgroup Attitudes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35(8), 1085–1098. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167209337037
Turner, J. C., Hogg, M. A., Oakes, P. J., Reicher, S. D., & Wetherell, M. S. (1987). Rediscovering the social group: A self-categorization theory. Blackwell.
Xin, S., Xin, Z., & Lin, C. (2016). Effects of trustors’ social identity complexity on interpersonal and intergroup trust. European Journal of Social Psychology, 46(4), 428–440. https://doi.org/10.1002/EJSP.2156