Different Groups,Different Motives: Identity Motives Underlying Changes in Identification With Novel Groups

Social identification is known to have wide-reaching implications,but theorists disagree about the underlying motives. integrating motivated identity construction theory with recent social identity research,the authors predicted which motives underlie identification with two types of groups: interpersonal networks and social categories. in a five-wave longitudinal study of social identity processes among 268 new university residents,multilevel analyses showed that motives involved in identity enactment processes-self-esteem,belonging,and efficacy-significantly predicted within-person changes in identification with flatmates (an interpersonal network group),whereas motives involved in identity definition processes-meaning,self-esteem,and distinctiveness-significantly predicted within-person changes in identification with halls of residence (an abstract social category). this article discusses implications for research into identity motives and social identity. © 2012 by the society for personality and social psychology,inc.