The issues of understanding the structure of society, its drivers, and attempts to predict its behavior occupy many researchers. To explain complex phenomena, scientists propose theories based on their observations and research. This paper studies and compares two papers discussing different theories and ideas. Devine (2015) considers the concept of ideological social identity (ISI) developed within the framework of Social Identity Theory (SIT) and symbolic ideology research. Sidanius and Pratto (2011), in turn, describe the social domination theory (SDT) that they developed. Although approaches are significantly different, they can both be used to understand human behavior and society.
The sources studied have different goals and features, which affect their perception. Devine’s (2015) article presents the results of a survey experiment where the researcher tested hypotheses about ISI and its influence on an individual’s political behavior. The source includes a data collection and analysis description, demonstrating the investigator’s findings. The article contributes significantly to the research literature on ideologies, their influence on humans, behavior, and political decisions. The chapter presented by Sidanius and Pratto (2011) describes SDT, its features, origins, essential propositions, and application. It includes a description of the theory’s development process and its provisions from the authors’ personal experiences and other theoretical perspectives. The source introduces SDT and is educational, presenting a generalized picture of the results of long years of work and research.
The ideas presented in the considered sources differ but aim to study society. In particular, Devine (2015) draws attention to the fact that traditionally the research of ideologies and their influence on people raises many complex concepts unrelated to the actual situation. In fact, people identify themselves and their ideological views according to the groups to which they belong. Moreover, adherence to a particular perspective may also be based on opposition to another group. As a result, ideological identifications occur in accordance with the individual’s social group, even if personal political views may differ. The studied concept of ISI represents a psychological attachment to a group with a specific ideology. Research data analysis proved that ISI is common in American society and impacts political choice. The study demonstrates society’s power to influence individuals’ actions and decisions.
The SDT, presented in another source, also pays significant attention to groups and ideologies. Sidanius and Pratto (2011) believe that minority dominant groups often shape society through prejudice and oppression. Examples of pressure by dominant groups include sexism, racism, and nationalism. There are social institutions and ideologies in society that can maintain existing hierarchies or reduce their influence. One of the theorists came to this conclusion when he encountered racism supported by law enforcement agencies (Sidanius & Pratto, 2011). A critical concept of the theory is social domination orientation (SDO), which reflects a desire to sustain existing group inequalities. Dominant groups use ideologies, also called legitimizing myths, such as common stereotypes or values, in their favor. Power, that is, the ability of groups to use resources to their advantage, distinguishes dominant and marginalized groups, but it can also be used to achieve equality. Consequently, SDT offers an image of the world by studying existing group hierarchies.
Thus, the sources under consideration – the research paper and the educational chapter consider different perspectives for understanding human society. Although papers choose different approaches and present distinct concepts and theories, they also have common features. In particular, both pay attention not to individual prospects but to the influence of groups. Sources also demonstrate the impact of ideologies and beliefs on people’s behavior. They will help study the structure of society, the behavior of the population, and similar social and political issues.
References
Devine, C. J. (2015). Ideological social identity: Psychological attachment to ideological in-groups as a political phenomenon and a behavioral influence. Political Behavior, 37(3), 509-535.
Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (2011). Social dominance theory. In L. P. A. M. Van, A. W. Kruglanski & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of theories of social psychology (pp. 418-438). SAGE Publications.