The validity of an unobtrusive measure of social identity

A simple method of measuring social and national identity (SIM) is described based on the mapping of social category placements in a defined field. The meaning of placements was investigated using judgments of similarity, attraction, closeness and trust for interpersonal groups and similarity, attraction of life style and trust for national groups. The validity and reliability of the measure of rank ordered distance placements was established. The utility of the measure when applied to social groups is demonstrated in the contexts of an emerging group, in an organizational setting and with national stereotypes. The measure is easy to apply and could be useful in research where a relatively unobtrusive measure of interpersonal, social or cross-cultural conflict is sought.