Research On Symbolic Self-completion In Group Identity

According to symbolic self-completion theory, promulgated by Wicklund and Gollwizter (1982), individuals attempt to define themselves with various labels. Identity can be constructed as a goal that the individuals trying to achieve. When individuals feel uncertain or threatened, people tend to achieve the identity symbol or to share symbols with others to get a sense of completion. Ledgewood (2010) argues that group identity can also be seen as the goal toward which group members strive. In this study, we extend symbolic self-completion theory to group identity, choose the group property as a group symbol, and explore the symbolic self-completion in group identity. Students of Zhejiang University were measured by two questionnaires and two experiments. The results showed that:(1) Compared with the out-group members, the in-group members tend to place more value on the building that has a history related to group and have a stronger willingness to share this history with society. The value placed on the group building and the strength of sharing willingness depends on commitment to group identity.(2) Completeness moderates the relation between the types of group members and the value placed on the group property. Incompleteness may lead the in-group members to place more value on the group building but not for out-group members.(3) Completeness moderates the relation between the types of group members and the strength of sharing willingness. Incompleteness may lead the in-group members to have a stronger willingness to share the history with society but not for out-group members.(4) The level of sharing moderates the relation between the types of group members and the value placed on the group property.