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Theories Of The Social Construction Of Racial Identity

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Theories Of The Social Construction Of Racial Identity
Identity is a word of contemporary society with the concept that it carries the full weight of the need for a sense of who one is in a social context (Howard, 2000). Identity construction is complex for those who belong to racial minority groups associated with negative societal stereotypes and discrimination (Howard, 2000). This racial identity is constructed through the collision of attitudes towards both one’s own group and through other groups, as well as through the contextual factors such as community and social structures (Howard, 2000). Identify itself can be seen as individualist as it consist of inside oneself and the person they are. It helps create an understanding of their behaviour, attitudes and beliefs. Racialised identity can be seen as relational as it emphasises the self through an understanding of ones interconnected relationships. Their identity is defined in terms of their expectations of others and others expectations of them (Howard, 2000).

There are three constructions of race, institutional, interpersonal and internal. Institutional construction of race is the social institutions recognition of one’s membership in a race category. …show more content…
The theory explains that in order to improve self-image one must increase the status of the group they belong too. Self-image can also be increased by discriminating and having prejudice views towards an out-group. The theory states that in-groups discriminate against out-groups in order to enhance their self-image. The leading hypothesis of the Social Identity Theory is that members of an in-group will search for negative aspects of an out-group thus explaining the behaviour of members from different groups. In and out groups essentially are formed to improve self-image, this however could lead to the discrimination and prejudice against an out group. Prejudiced views between different cultures could result in racism (Hogg & Williams,
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