Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2025
First exams 2027
Source 1
A researcher was interested to see if social identity (measured as motivation to join local community groups) correlated with self-confidence.
Figure 1 shows the findings of this study.
Figure 1: Correlation between motivation to join local community groups and self-reported level of self-confidence.
Explain one issue that limits the interpretation of the data in source 1.
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Source 2
A quantitative study was conducted to investigate whether the strength of social identity is related to motivation to engage in collective action regarding public transport policy. Participants were grouped according to their level of social identification (low, moderate, or high). Motivation to participate in group-based activities and collective behaviours was measured on a scale from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater motivation.
Mean motivation scores and standard deviations were calculated for each level of social identification.
The findings are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Relationship between social identity strength and motivation for collective action
Level of social identification | Mean motivation score (1–7) | Standard deviation |
|---|---|---|
Low identification | 3.1 | 0.9 |
Moderate identification | 4.4 | 1.0 |
High identification | 5.9 | 0.8 |
Analyse the findings from source 2 and state a conclusion linked to the claim that a strong sense of group identity increases motivation to engage in collective action and support ingroup members.
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Source 3
A researcher conducted a focus group interview with eight participants aged 18–35 to explore how motivation influences group membership and self-esteem. The discussion focused on why individuals identify with groups and how group belonging may shape attitudes and behaviour. A thematic analysis identified the following themes:
Participants reported that feelings of belonging, security, and self-esteem motivated them to identify with social groups such as sports teams, workplaces, or community organisations
Some participants described being motivated to follow group norms and values in order to be accepted as a legitimate group member
Several participants noted that they were willing to invest effort or make sacrifices to strengthen their group membership, which they felt reinforced their sense of identity and self-worth
Discuss how the researcher could improve the credibility of the findings in source 3.
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To what extent can we claim that a strong sense of group identity increases motivation to engage in collective action and support ingroup members? In your answer, use your own knowledge and at least three of sources 2-5 (opens in a new tab).
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