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(Campbell, 1958) as the extent to which collections of individuals are perceived to be a group. The

degree of entitativity that a group has is influenced by whether a collection of individuals

experience the same fate, display similarities, and are close in proximity. If individuals believe

that a group is high in entitativity, then they are likely to believe that the group has unchanging

characteristics that are essential to the group, known as essentialism (Haslam, Rothschild, & Ernst,

2002). Examples of categories are New Yorkers, gamblers, and women.

Group Membership and Social Identity

The social group is a critical source of information about individual identity. (Crano,

2000) An individual’s identity (or self-concept) has two components: personal identity and social

identity (or collective self). One’s personal identity is defined by more idiosyncratic, individual

qualities and attributes. (Hogg & Williams, 2000) In contrast, one’s social identity is defined by

his or her group membership, and the general characteristics (or prototypes) that define the group

and differentiate it from others. (Hogg & Williams, 2000)We naturally make comparisons between

our own group and other groups, but we do not necessarily make objective comparisons. Instead,

we make evaluations that are self-enhancing, emphasizing the positive qualities of our own group

(see ingroup bias). (Hogg & Williams, 2000) In this way, these comparisons give us a distinct and
valued social identity that benefits our self-esteem. Our social identity and group membership also

satisfies a need to belong. (Spears, Ellemers, & Doosje, 2005) Of course, individuals belong to

multiple groups. Therefore, one’s social identity can have several, qualitatively distinct parts (for

example, one’s ethnic identity, religious identity, and political identity). (Deaux, Reid, Mizrahi, &

Ethier, 1995)

Optimal distinctiveness theory suggests that individuals have a desire to be similar to

others, but also a desire to differentiate themselves, ultimately seeking some balance of these two

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