Ed Batista, Interpersonal Dynamics, Class 5: Social Identity

Dynamics InterpersonalEd BatistaWinter 2016CLASS 5: SOCIAL IDENTITY

Social identityHalvorson (Getting to “Us”)Positive impact in the workplaceSense of group identity

= Higher morale & productivity

Social identityHenri Tajfel & John TurnerGroup memberships shape individual identityStems from a basic cognitive process

= Tendency to group things together

Social identityBut we exaggerate…1. Differences between groups2. Similarities within groups

= Inevitable stereotypes

Social identityContinuum of social behavior IntergroupInterpersonal

Intergroup

Photo by U.S. Army [link]

Intergroup

Photo by Neon Tommy [link]

Interpersonal

Photo by Tania Cataldo [link]

It’s usually both

Photo by Anne Worner [link]

Social identity

Photo by Daniel Hartwig [link]

Stereotype threat

Photo by Renato Ganoza

Microaggressions

Photo by Igor Spasic [link]

Microaggressions

Need not be “aggressive”Stereotype threat (or identity threat)

Discuss with your

Why these topics in this course?

partner

Emotion(Management ≠ suppression)3 aspects…

management

Emotion1. Self-management

Recognize likely triggers &learn to self-soothe when flooded

management

Emotion1. Self-management2. Managing others’ emotions

Step into difficult conversationswithout triggering a threat

response

management

Emotion1. Self-management2. Managing others’ emotions3. Managing a group’s emotions

Sense & influence group-levelemotions (which are contagious)

management

Social identityTypically generates strong emotions…why?Many social IDs have status implicationsAll social IDs involve relatedness

Social identityDifficult conversations usually involve…Relative status differencesIncreased social distanceLikely to trigger a threat response

Threat responseIntended to yield 1 of 3 outcomes…

Fight (Overpower the stimulus)Flight (Escape from it)Freeze (Hope it goes away)Rarely helpful in a difficult conversation

A vicious cycleWe rarely discuss social IDs across differencesWe fail to develop the necessary skillsWhen compelled, we’re unpreparedThe conversation goes badlyWe avoid the topicRepeat

Consciousness

Competence

1

2 3

4

1

2 3

4

Consciousness

Competence

We’re unskilled.We need guidance.

We’re self-conscious.

We need practice.

Dynamics InterpersonalFor more:www.edbatista.com/interpersonal-dynamics.html