What is social identity theory in sports?

The social identity theory, when applied to sports fans, helps to explain their behavior. The social identity theory states that people are motivated to behave in ways that maintain and boost their self esteem.

How does social identity affect self-esteem?

Furthermore, only high self-esteem individuals with a strong social identity set higher goals for themselves, and achieved better performance, compared to high esteem/weak identity individuals or low self-esteem persons in either social identity condition.

How does sports affect your identity?

Having a strong athletic identity often leads to a strong sense of self and sureness of who you are. Increased self-confidence, self-discipline, and more positive social interactions have all been observed in those with high athletic identity compared to those with a low athletic identity.

What is the meaning of social identity?

An individual’s social identity indicates who they are in terms of the groups to which they belong. Examples of social identities are race/ethnicity, gender, social class/socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, (dis)abilities, and religion/religious beliefs.

How are emotions linked to the self and identity?

Emotions and Identity Why should we relate emotions with identity? The emotional reactions that we have before certain objects, persons, events, behaviors, real or fictitious situations-, reveal to us something about ourselves, something about the type of persons that we are or that we could become.

How is identity linked to self-esteem?

Identity and self-esteem are closely related and are very important to good mental health. Your sense of identity has to do with who you think you are and how you perceive yourself. Self-esteem is how you value yourself. Both affect your mental health, your behavior and how you relate to other people.

Can a sport be part of your identity?

By participating in a sport, an individual is making a social statement about who they are and how they want others think of them. An athletic identity is developed through acquisition of skills, confidence, and social interaction during sport. It plays a part in a cognitive and social role.

Are your interests part of your identity?

Many people identify themselves by their interests and – by extension – identify themselves as part of the community that shares their interests When you identify as a geek, or an otaku or a gamer or a Miami Heat fan, for example, you are defining yourself not just by your interests but by putting yourself in alignment …

How does social identity theory relate to sports?

Even when a team looses, the social identity theory states that a person will still view the team just as positively because of the threat a defeat has to his or her own self esteem, now that the person has identified with the team.

What does Tajfel mean by social identity theory?

Tajfel (1979) proposed that the groups (e.g. social class, family, football team etc.) which people belonged to were an important source of pride and self-esteem. Groups give us a sense of social identity: a sense of belonging to the social world.

How is group membership defined in social identity theory?

Just to reiterate, in social identity theory the group membership is not something foreign or artificial which is attached onto the person, it is a real, true and vital part of the person. Again, it is crucial to remember in-groups are groups you identify with, and out-groups are ones that we don’t identify with, and may discriminate against.

How are social categories related to social identity?

According to social identity theory (Hogg, 2006 ), people categorize themselves into different social categories to build their own social identity. Thus, groups like sport teams are more or less part of this identity. The underlying social categories are built from prototypical attributes of other group members.