A systematic scoping review of social identity in human-wildlife research
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
Social identity theory aims to understand how individuals form identities based on group memberships, and how those identities influence people’s cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Social identity effects are often dynamic, highly responsive to activation, can distort people’s interpretations of fact or even their own preferences, and can differentially inspire in-group favoritism, out-group derogation, and intergroup conflict or cooperation depending on context. Since the effects of social identity on the human dimensions of wildlife are likely myriad and multifaceted, how have researchers used social identity theory in the existing wildlife literature? In this article, we apply a systematic scoping literature review to investigate the extant research on social identity theory in wildlife conservation settings. Across 99 refereed articles, our review documents the ways in which, to date, social identity theory has been used to understand human relationships with wildlife. Toward future research, we draw inspiration from social psychological research in other domains to suggest new, underexplored avenues for integrating social identity perspectives into human dimensions of wildlife research and practice.
Mentor Name
Alex Metcalf
A systematic scoping review of social identity in human-wildlife research
UC 327
Social identity theory aims to understand how individuals form identities based on group memberships, and how those identities influence people’s cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Social identity effects are often dynamic, highly responsive to activation, can distort people’s interpretations of fact or even their own preferences, and can differentially inspire in-group favoritism, out-group derogation, and intergroup conflict or cooperation depending on context. Since the effects of social identity on the human dimensions of wildlife are likely myriad and multifaceted, how have researchers used social identity theory in the existing wildlife literature? In this article, we apply a systematic scoping literature review to investigate the extant research on social identity theory in wildlife conservation settings. Across 99 refereed articles, our review documents the ways in which, to date, social identity theory has been used to understand human relationships with wildlife. Toward future research, we draw inspiration from social psychological research in other domains to suggest new, underexplored avenues for integrating social identity perspectives into human dimensions of wildlife research and practice.