Social Identification in Sports Teams: The Role of Personal, Social, and Collective Identity Motives

SAGE Publications Inc. 2017

Based on motivated identity construction theory (MICT; Vignoles, 2011), we offer an integrative approach examining the combined roles of six identity motives (self-esteem, distinctiveness, belonging, meaning, continuity, and efficacy) instantiated at three different motivational levels (personal, social, and collective identity) as predictors of group identification. These identity processes were investigated among 369 members of 45 sports teams from England and Italy in a longitudinal study over 6 months with four time points. Multilevel change modeling and cross-lagged analyses showed that satisfaction of four personal identity motives (individuals’ personal feelings of self-esteem, distinctiveness, meaning, and efficacy derived from team membership), three social identity motives (individuals’ feelings that the team identity carries a sense of belonging, meaning, and continuity), and one collective identity motive (a shared belief in group distinctiveness) significantly predicted group identification. Motivational processes underlying group identification are complex, multilayered, and not reducible to personal needs.

group processe; identity motive; multilevel modeling; social identity; sports team; Social Psychology; Settore M-PSI/05 - PSICOLOGIA SOCIALE; info:eu-repo/semantics/article

Open access content. Open access content

English

SYC oai:publicatt.unicatt.it:10807/99100
10.1177/0146167216689051
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/scopus/2-s2.0-85015062804
1105030278

UNIV CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE
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