Social Identity and Cooperation

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the effects of cooperation on social identity in group work. I posit that members of groups which are cooperative and therefore successful will be more likely to identify with the group, than members of those groups which are not cooperative. To test the prediction, I conduct an experimental test in which groups of four work on a public goods task. While groups? cooperative behavior is not related to social identity, individuals? perceptions of others? cooperation is significantly related to social identity.