the self
identity and self
group participation
Definition “Everyone needs to belong.” “Everyone needs to be unique.” That both of these statements are true is the basis for Marilynn Brewer's theory of optimal distinctiveness, which helps explain why people join social groups and become so attached to the social categories they are part of. Optimal distinctiveness theory is about social identity—how people come to define themselves in terms of their social group memberships. [Source: Encyclopedia of Social Psychology; Optimal Distinctiveness Theory]
optimal distinctiveness theory
concepts
intergroup relations