Continuing and changing group identities: the effects of merging on social identification and ingroup bias

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2003 Jun;29(6):679-90. doi: 10.1177/0146167203029006001.

Abstract

A social identity approach to the investigation of group-based reactions to a merger is outlined, in which a merger is analyzed in terms of the continuation or change of the pre-merger group identity. In two experiments, the relationship between pre-merger identification, post-merger identification, and ingroup bias was investigated using a minimal group paradigm. Results from both studies showed that the perceived continuation of the pre-merger group identity in the post-merger group strengthened the positive relationship between pre-merger identification and identification with the superordinate post-merger group. Moreover, perceived continuation strengthened, rather than reduced, ingroup bias at the subordinate level of the merged groups. Some theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Employment*
  • Female
  • Group Processes*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Psychology, Industrial
  • Regression Analysis
  • Social Identification*