SSEH2270 Midterm: SSEH2270_ Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT)
4 Dec 2020
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Odt accounts for the reasons that individuals seek group identification: it is a motivational theory of identification. We don"t like to be similar to everyone around us. We don"t like to be different to everyone around us. We have a need for differentiation and a need for assimilation. Satisfaction of one need leads to increases in the other need. Group memberships satisfy needs for assimilation and differentiation to varying degrees. = feelings of high assimilation but low in differentiation. Groups that offer us equal satisfaction of our similarity and differentiation needs provide us with optimal distinctiveness". We are most satisfied and we identify most strongly with groups that offer us optimal distinctiveness. A central tenet of odt is that distinctiveness of a social category is context specific. E. g. , your favourite sport may be australian rules football and you have an identity as a player of this sport.
