Social Identity and the Northern Ireland Conflict

In: Human relations: towards the integration of the social sciences, Band 42, Heft 10, S. 917-935

Abstract

A series of experimental studies examined various identity polarities (Catholic/Protestant, Irish/British, and nationalist/unionist) relevant to the majority and minority communities in Northern Ireland. Subjects allocated themselves to one group within a polarity and awarded points on a series of matrices to anonymous others identified solely on the basis of group membership. Results suggested that the Catholic and nationalist identities had a similar impact for minority group members over time, whereas the Protestant and unionist identities had a differential impact for majority group members over time. This latter effect was related to the context implied by the identity label. Qualitative data gathered from interviews with political activists suggested some continuities with the experimental data. Political activists from minority group parties adhered to a single identity label, but offered competing meanings for that label. By contrast, activists from majority group parties adhered to competing identity labels which could be related to different contexts for that group. The paper emphasizes the dynamic nature of identity and argues for an eclectic use of theory and method in the analysis of social conflict.