Social Identity Theory Assignment Help
Q1: How can social identity theory be used to help create positive relationships between leaders and followers?
Solution:
The social identity theory was introduced by Henri Tajfel and this student John Turner in the 1970s. Social identity theory describes that an individual’s sense of self belonging is perceived through the groups they are entitled to (Liu, Cai, Li, Shi & Fang, 2013). There are two kinds of groups in any intrapersonal notion that are ingroup and outgroup. The outgroup is a kind of group in which an individual cannot belong h/herself to it whereas an ingroup is a kind of group in which an individual can feel h/her self-belonging (Slater, Evan & Turner, 2016). There is a procedure through which a person decides that to which group he belongs to, the three phases are (i) Social Categorization: this is a method in which a person is categorized in a group based on h/her traits with others and if the characteristics are similar the individuals will be categorized into a group. (ii) Social Identification: this process includes that how will a person act in a group that h/she believes others should behave in it. (iii) Social Comparison: this method involves the groups comparing themselves with other groups on the bases of respect and social status (Trepte, 2006). When social identity theory is implemented in organizations it is observed that leaders and their followers are in the same group. As both of the entities fall under the same group, they both are connected in a joint identity team (Epitropaki, Kark, Mainemelis & Lord, 2016). The self-categorization aspect of the identity theory gives the individual a sense of ‘we’ when addressing to h/her group. Researchers have observed that the supporters are more likely to approve their superiors and the supporters are easily influenced by them to the degree that these leaders are seen as ‘prototypical’ beings who represent the values and the identifications of the ingroup. The word prototypical comes from prototype; in the social context, prototype means the correct way to think, feel and behave in a group is determined by the members that in the end are treated as norms of the team (Epitropaki, Kark, Mainemelis & Lord, 2016). According to Steffens, Haslam & Reicher (2014), the leaders with a prototypical quality are seen as trustworthy, possessing ethical value and charismatic. There can be a positive relationship between the leaders and their followers when the leaders adopt the prototypical style of leadership, this type of leader represent the norms and encourage the welfare of the team. As mentioned above researchers have observed that there the followers support or endorse prototypical leaders even, when they favour out-groups. According to Giessner et al. (2009), the prototypical leader becomes the centre of attention in a group as h/she delivers valuable data in a group and acts in a way that is expected from them by the members. So, to create a positive relationship between the two entities the leader should behave in a way that is desirable by the supporters and is aligned with the norms of the group. Doing that the followers will support the leader no matter what (as cited in Epitropaki, Kark, Mainemelis & Lord, 2016).
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References:
Epitropaki, O., Kark, R., Mainemelis, C., & Lord, R. (2016), ‘Leadership and followership identity processes: A multilevel review’, The leadership Quarterly, 28, 104-129, Latrobe University Database
Liu, Z., Cai, Z., Li, J., Shi, S., & F, Y. (2013), ‘Leadership style and employee turnover intentions: A social identity perspective’, Career Development International, 8(3), 302-324, Latrobe University Database
Slater, M., Evan, A., & Turner, M. (2016), ‘Implementing a Social Identity Approach for Effective Change Management’, Journal of Change Management, 16(1), 18-37, Latrobe University Database
Steffens, N., Haslam A., & Reicher, S. (2014), ‘Up close and personal: Evidence that shared social identity is a basis for the ‘special’ relationship that binds followers to leaders’ The Leadership Quarterly, 25(2), 296-313, Latrobe University Database
Trepte, S. (2006), Social Identity Theory. In Bryant, J & Vorderer, P (Eds), Psychology of Entertainment (pp. 255-272). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
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