Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Social Identity Complexity

In this article, we introduce the concept ofsocial identity complexity-a new theoreti-cal construct that refers to an individual's subjective representation of the interrela-tionships among his or her multiple group identities. Social identity complexity re-flects the degree of overlap perceived to exist between groups of which a person is simultaneously a member When the overlap of multiple ingroups is perceived to be high, the individual maintains a relatively simplified identity structure whereby mem-berships in different groups converge toform a single ingroup identification. When a person acknowledges, and accepts, that memberships in multiple ingroups are not fully convergent or overlapping, the associated identity structure is both more inclu-sive and more complex. In this article, we define the concept of social identity com-plexity and discuss its possible antecedents and consequences. Results from initial studies support the prediction that social identity complexity is affected by stress and is related to personal value priorities and to tolerance ofoutgroup members. Recently researchers of group processes have ex-pressed increasing interest in the fact that most individ