Testing Three Dimensions of Social Identity among Republicans and Democrats

Francis Neely

Department of Political Science

San Francisco State University

fneely@sfsu.edu

This research was supported by the California State University’s Social Science Research and Instructional Council and the Field Research Corporation. Thanks to Ed Nelson and the Council, and Mark DiCamillo at Field.

Paper prepared for presentation at the 66th Annual National Conference of the Midwest Political Science Association, April 3 – 6, 2008, Chicago

Abstract

I test Cameron’s (2004) three-factor model of social identity using data collected in a state-wide survey of Californians. While several descriptive hypotheses are developed regarding identifiers and their tendencies across three dimensions of social identity, the differences between Republicans and Democrats are explored without clear expectations. Overall social identity is more common among partisans than Independents; however, partisans and Independents alike report high levels of affect about their ingroup (Ingroup Affect). The social identity scale explains attitudes above and beyond the influence of the traditional PID measure. It outperforms PID in explaining vote choices. Republicans more than Democrats draw on their social identities to inform partisan attitudes and behavior. Attitudes among Democrats are explained by the cognitive element of social identity (Cognitive Centrality), while Republicans’ attitudes are related solely to the affective ties with ingroup members (Ingroup Ties). As for vote choices, both Republicans’ and Democrats are shaped by Ingroup Affect, with that influence much stronger among Republicans. The results, their limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.