What are the limits of a Social Identity approach to the social Essay

What are the limits of a Social Identity approach to the social psychology of deviance - Essay Example In this context, we can look at deviances which are obvious such as taking drugs which are prohibited in society and we can examine deviant behaviour which is less commonly seen or discussed in polite society as such e.g. paying cash to avoid taxes and other white collar crimes. We can also try to understand the social identity process that takes place in the formation of groups that display socially deviant attitudes and even consider situations in which a person can be purposefully deviant within a given scenario. At the same time, an examination of other approaches to understanding deviance within society is also mandated. Other theories such as the strain/anomie theory and the social disorganization theory can be helpful in explaining parts or covering areas which are lacking in the social identity approach. However, the first step in the process remains an understanding of deviance and how the social identity approach is limited in clearly understanding the process as it occurs in society. Henri Tajfel and John Turner have been credited with the creation of the Social Identity Theory which begins with how people categorise themselves and others using labels (Johnson & MacEachern, 1985). For example, an American may categorise all people coming from the Middle East as Muslims or a person in the Middle East may think that all Americans are Christians. Once a person has made categories, s/he can then identify and create an in-group identity for themselves as being part of a group which in turn helps in increasing that person’s self-esteem. Finally, the person can have and can even be taught to have and understand the differences between the in-group individuals and out-group others. These comparisons can be mostly favourable to the group the person belongs to but they can also be negative in certain cases. For example, a person living in an economically less developed country may accept that s/he belongs to a