2. The Social Identity Approach

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about social identity, focusing in particular on: (i) the two theories which make up this concept, split into Tajfel’s social identity theory and Turner’s social categorisation theory; (ii) the definition of social identity as the value an individual places on their group memberships; (iii) differentiating between personal identity and group identity, in terms of attitudes and descriptive terms; (iv) measuring someone’s sense of social identity using the social identity questionnaire for sport; (v) research findings that have supported the idea that athletes who feel a strong social identity with their team are more motivated to perform well; (vi) the role that social identity can play in people’s responses to stress.

Course

In this course, Dr Matthew Slater (Staffordshire University) explores how we perform with others in sport and exercise. In the first lecture, we think about cohesion and the factors which make up Carron’s model of cohesion. In the second lecture, we think about social identity, split into social identity theory and self-categorisation theory. In the third lecture, we think about how our understanding of leadership has developed over time. Next, we work through Smith and colleagues’ 1979 study on coach effectiveness training. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about two key strategies to improve team performance as team goal setting and the 3R model.

Lecturer

Dr Matthew Slater is associate professor in the School of Health, Science and Wellbeing at Staffordshire University. Dr Slater’s research interests include the social identity approach to leadership, team functioning and psychophysiological responses to stress. Some of Dr Slater’s recent publications include 'Cognitive appraisals and team performance under stress: A simulation study' (2020) and 'A brief mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention: investigating the effects with recreational runners' (2020).