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Identity and Cooperative Behavior in Groups

Department of Psychology, New York University

Steven L. Blader

Department of Psychology, New York University

This study compares two models of motivation for cooperative behavior in groups. Those models are the resource-based social exchange model and the status-based social identity model. A comparison of the two models suggests that both are important in understanding cooperation in groups. However, issues of identity are relatively more important antecedents of cooperation, especially in the case of discretionary cooperative behavior. Further, identity also has a strong influence on attitudes and values, which themselves have been linked to discretionary behavior. Hence, identity issues dominate people’s motivation to voluntarily cooperate with the groups to which they belong.

Key Words: cooperative behavior • pride • respect • social identity

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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tyler, T. R. Articles by Blader, S. L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?