A study of social identity in two ethnic groups in India and Bangladesh

Abstract

The paper reports a series of two related studies which examine social identity of Hindu and Muslim subjects under three frames of reference: self, own group, and outgroup evaluations cross‐nationally. A total of 150 Ss in India and 180 Ss in Bangladesh were selected. Data were collected using an adjective checklist and were analysed using ANOVA and ‘t’ tests. The results indicated considerable similarity in social identity patterns of Hindu and Muslim subjects for self and own group evaluation in both the countries. However, due to the varying social‐historical context the outgroup evaluation showed a differential pattern cross‐nationally. The findings of the study were examined in relation to the interplay of specific socio‐contextual experiences in the differential pattern of social identity processes.