In Social Identity and Social Conflict: Recent Developments in the Social Psychology of Intergroup Behaviour, Turner & Brown (1987) assess how social identity processes of social categorisation and intergroups relations shapes social conflicts. Specifically, they examine the nexus between social identity, intergroup relations and social conflict. Turner and Brown argue that social conditions shape whether intergroup relations within a society become harmonious or conflictual. They understand social identity as that part of an individual’s self-concept that is derived from membership in a social group and from the value and emotional significance attached to that membership. This perspective remains particularly relevant to contemporary Africa, where ethnic, religious and regional identities continue to influence political competition, access to resources, patterns of inclusion and exclusion, and the dynamics of both violent conflict and peacebuilding.
Turner and Brown’s article revolves around intergroup behaviour within societal contexts. They argue that individuals, in their pursuit of a positive social identity, define themselves within social categories, whether ethnic, religious or other forms of social grouping. These social categories shape not only how individuals perceive themselves but also how they perceive members of other groups. The value attached to a particular social identity depends on the status and prestige that society assigns to the group. Consequently, individuals who belong to socially valued or dominant groups are more likely to derive high self-esteem from their group membership, whereas those belonging to socially marginalised or disadvantaged groups may experience lower self-esteem. For example, in societies where white people are viewed as superior to black people or where men are given greater status than women, individuals belonging to these higher-status groups are more likely to develop a positive social identity. Such inequalities in the social value attached to different group identities can therefore, reinforce exclusion, prejudice and discrimination, thereby increasing the potential for intergroup tensions and conflict, particularly where such inequalities are politically or socially institutionalised.
The authors further explain that these social categories are constructed through comparisons based on characteristics such as income, political influence, education, gender, skin colour, occupation and other socially significant attributes. It is these social comparisons that determine which groups are seen as more powerful, valuable, prestigious or higher in status within the society, while also shaping how groups behave toward one another. Social conflict, as explained by Turner and Brown, is therefore a reflection of both real and perceived frustrations arising from social stratification.
The authors also examine intergroup relations and behaviour by analysing similarities and differences between groups that can either trigger or deter the likelihood of conflict. They further note that competition between groups over identity, as well as the presence of stereotypes, prejudices and unequal status, can generate hostile group behaviour that may eventually lead to conflict. This dynamic is illustrated by the case of apartheid South Africa, where racial hierarchies and perceptions of group superiority and inferiority shaped relations between black South Africans and the dominant white minority. As Turner and Brown explain, challenges to an unequal but previously legitimised social order can provoke intensified discrimination by dominant groups, thereby reinforcing hostile intergroup relations. In addition, they emphasise that group behaviour is shaped by the group’s social image and perceived interests, which aligns with the interests of its individual members. While these arguments provide a strong foundation for understanding intergroup conflict, they also warrant further reflection on their relevance and limitations in contemporary contexts.
Turner and Brown successfully combine theoretical and empirical perspectives in their assessment of the nexus between social identity, intergroup relations and social conflict. Their use of practical examples of social groups, including the French Canadians, the New Zealand Māori, the South African Bantu and Mexican Americans, illustrates how social identity theory operates in different social and political contexts. This makes the theory not only easier to understand but also more relatable and applicable to contemporary situations. Moreover, the article remains highly relevant to contemporary peace and security challenges, particularly in Africa, where identity-based divisions continue to shape conflict dynamics. Across the continent, political competition, access to state resources, historical grievances and perceptions of exclusion are often framed through ethnic, religious or regional identities.
For example, the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda illustrates how ethnic identities can be politically mobilised to intensify division and violence. Similarly, in Nigeria, tensions between different religious and ethnic groups, particularly in the Middle Belt and the Niger Delta, demonstrate how competition over political power and economic resources is frequently expressed through identity-based narratives. In South Sudan, conflicts between major ethnic groups such as the Dinka and Nuer further highlights how historical grievances and struggles over state control is frequently interpreted through ethnic belonging, reinforcing cycles of mistrust and violence.
More recently, the renewed violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray region as well as the resurgence of armed groups such as M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrates how unresolved ethnic, territorial, and political grievances continue to fuel instability, cycles of violence and mistrust between groups. These cases also highlight the role of historical memory in shaping intergroup relations, as memories of past political domination, economic marginalisation and cultural exclusion can influence how groups perceive their identity, status and relations with others. Such perceptions may reinforce existing prejudices, grievances and feelings of exclusion, thereby affecting contemporary patterns of intergroup interaction and conflict. Turner and Brown’s analysis is therefore valuable for understanding many contemporary conflicts in Africa, where social identities frequently intersect with power struggles, socioeconomic inequalities and competition over natural resources.
However, the article has several limitations. First, it pays limited attention to the role of individual actors and political leaders in shaping intergroup relations. While social identity does influence behaviour, contemporary conflicts show that identities are often constructed or manipulated by political elites, armed groups and other actors to mobilise support or justify violence. Second, the analysis largely treats social groups as internally homogeneous. In reality, social categories such as ethnic communities, women, youth or religious groups contain significant internal diversity, competing interests and multiple intersecting identities that can themselves become sources of intra-group tensions and conflict.
Finally, the article is limited in that the authors could not have anticipated the influence of digital technologies and social media, which today accelerate the spread of identity-based narratives, misinformation and hate speech, often deepening societal divisions and fuelling violence. These limitations should nevertheless be understood within the context in which the article was written. Published in 1987, the work predates many of the recent developments that have reshaped conflict dynamics over the past decades.
Social Identity and Social Conflict: Recent Developments in the Social Psychology of Intergroup Behaviour is an insightful article that highlights the central role of social identity in shaping intergroup relations and social conflict. Despite its limitations, Turner and Brown provide one of the foundational frameworks for understanding how social identities influence intergroup behaviour and the emergence of conflict. Their analysis continues to offer valuable perspectives for scholars, practitioners and policymakers seeking to understand and prevent identity-based conflict in Africa and beyond.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Insight reflect the perspectives of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the official position of Institute for Peace and Security Studies.
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Contributed by Cynthia Happi African Solutions Journal (AfSOL) Managing Editor |