Multiple social identities: a cognitive consistency model on identity integration

People belong to multiple social groups that are more or less integrated into their self-concept. We present a cognitive consistency account of social identity integration and test its predictions. This account suggests that perceiving groups as more incompatible is related to more differential identification of one group over the other, and with more intergroup bias. In Studies 1 (N = 73) and 2 (N = 40), participants indicated two ingroups that they perceived to be compatible or incompatible (i.e. norms, values, traits, and goals of the groups are shared or contradictory) and we assessed identification with both ingroups and intergroup attitudes. In Study 3 (N = 66), we tested the reverse relationship by asking participants to indicate two ingroups that they differentially identify with and measured perceptions of ingroup compatibility. In Study 4 (N = 81), we experimentally manipulated perceived compatibility between two ingroups and assessed ingroup identification and intergroup attitudes. Results support the prediction that, when both ingroups are incompatible instead of compatible, people identify with one of these groups more strongly than with the other, and they show more intergroup bias. We discuss the model as a parsimonious and unifying account for previous findings on the influential role of group compatibility for identification and intergroup attitudes.