Social Identity Theory

Rivalry Traditions

There are few better examples of social identity theory than the age-old football rivalry between the Boston College Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Social identity theory explains that a person has not one “personal self” but several selves that correspond to widening circles of group membership. Different social contexts may trigger an individual to think, feel and act on the basis of his different “levels of self” (Turner et al, 1987).

Central to this concept is the idea of “us” versus “them.” Internalized group membership refers to the idea that people make their group identities into a crucial part of who they are. Thus, anyone who belongs to a different or opposing group is separate, and shoved into the “them” category. This is often the basis of rivalries.

Social identity theory contends that group membership creates a sense of in-group favoritism that is often exercised at the expense of the out-group. Tajfel’s experiments have shown that the mere act of categorizing people, even if the cause is arbitrary, spurs immediate in-group favoritism. Choosing Boston College over Notre Dame (or vice versa) is hardly an arbitrary distinction, which enhances in-group favoritism even more.

Both schools made their team favoritism perfectly clear in different ways ranging form proudly positive to disgracefully disparaging. For instance, men flaunted maroon and gold-painted chests and went wild cheering for BC. Gold Superfan knock-off shirts questioned boldly, “What rivalry?” And, of course, a bit of name-calling ensued. But what can you expect? We’re all on the quest for positive distinctiveness, aren’t we?

Tajfel and Turner (1979) identify three variables that contribute to in-group favoritism. First, the extent to which individuals internalize their group membership as an aspect of their self-concept is important. Students at BC are encouraged to make their school a part of their identity, with class quotes like “For here all are one” and the mantra “We are BC!”

Also important is the extent to which the prevailing context provides ground for comparison between groups. It’s college football. Enough said.

Finally, in-group favoritism is affected by the perceived relevance of the comparison group. Since BC and Notre Dame are both private Jesuit universities rich in tradition, they are certainly liable to be compared.