心理学报2025，Vol.57Issue(5)：820-837,18.DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0820
失调有"度":区分度影响群体认同的阈值效应及心理机制
Threshold effects of distinctiveness:Psychological mechanisms underlying group identity
摘要
Abstract
Our understanding of the self encompasses personal and social identities linked to the groups individuals belong.The way individuals navigate differences between themselves and others along with how this balance influences their identification with the group,have been a central question in the study of human social behavior.Previous studies have treated group assimilation and individual differentiation as separate aspects,yielding conflicting results.In contrast,Brewer's(1991)Optimal Distinctiveness Model defines distinctiveness as the degree to which an individual's characteristics deviate from group norms,considering personal characteristics on a continuum(e.g.,traits,abilities,and physical features).The Optimal Distinctiveness Model in the intergroup context proposes an inversely parabolic relationship between distinctiveness and group identity based on a continuum perspective.However,the influence of distinctiveness on group identity and the specific distinctiveness thresholds in intragroup contexts remain unclear.Building on this,our study systematically explores the impact of distinctiveness on group identity across hierarchical levels and group attributes using a continuum perspective. The study comprised three experiments.In Experiment 1,a baseline-level forced-choice task was employed to examine the effect patterns of the two hierarchical levels of distinctiveness on group identity.The independent variable,distinctiveness,ranged from 0 to 1 across 11 degrees,whereas the dependent variable was the dichotomous selection of group identity by participants at various distinctiveness levels.Two hierarchical levels were included to compare differences between self and group means,with the group's variability presented in dual experiment blocks,assuming a lower threshold for comparing levels with the group mean.Building on Experiment 1,Experiment 2 investigated the moderating role of specific group attributes maintaining the core experimental design while incorporating assessment protocols for surface-and deep-level group attributes.Experiment 3 explored the role of group cognitive dissonance,measuring the participants'cognitive dissonance degrees across discrimination levels. Adopting a continuum-based analytical perspective,the findings reveal that the impact of distinctiveness on group identity deviates from an inverted U-shape and linear negative model,instead conforming to a logistic regression function characterized by an"S-curve."Overall,a nonlinear negative effect of distinctiveness on group identity was observed.As distinctiveness increases,group identity follows a pattern of"flat-sudden decline-maintain flat."The threshold point with the steepest rate of decline in group identity emerged at the middle level of distinctiveness.Beyond this threshold,self-identification within a group diminished.Notably,comparisons with the group mean exhibited a lower distinctiveness threshold than those involving the group's variability.Similarly,deep-level attributes had a lower distinctiveness threshold than surface-level attributes and aligned more closely with the logistic regression model.Additionally,group cognitive dissonance served a mediating role,with the degree increasing in alignment with distinctiveness following a logistic regression trend.A higher degree of group cognitive dissonance corresponded with a lower level of group identity.The findings showed that group identity does not decline linearly with increasing distinctiveness,but maintains a balance between self and group before the distinctiveness surpasses a threshold level,beyond which group identity declines abruptly and cognitive dissonance rises sharply. Adopting a continuum perspective,this research provides comprehensive insights into how distinctiveness influences group identity across various hierarchical levels and attributes,identifying a distinctiveness threshold effect.The effect of distinctiveness on group identity is consistent with an"x-shaped"pattern.The findings illuminate the balancing process between self and group in social identity formation,offering a comprehensive refinement and nuanced expansion of theories within the realm of self and group relations.Practically,this study offers novel insights for individuals to pragmatically navigate the differences between group and self-attributes,promote the maintenance of psychological boundaries,and safeguard mental health.Furthermore,the findings provide a foundation for targeted organizational strategies that foster coordination and cooperation within organizations that enhances team cohesion by identifying the distinctiveness threshold as an early warning signs.关键词
群体认同/最优区分理论/群体认知失调/群体属性/阈值效应Key words
group identity/Optimal Distinctiveness Model/Intragroup Dissonance Theory/group attribute/Threshold effect分类
心理学引用本文复制引用
柯文琳,温芳芳,佐斌..失调有"度":区分度影响群体认同的阈值效应及心理机制[J].心理学报,2025,57(5):820-837,18.基金项目
国家自然科学基金面上项目(32271128 （）
32471125)和国家社会科学基金重大项目(18ZDA331)资助. （18ZDA331）
