Editing Group dynamics (section)

===Group membership and social identity===
The social group is a critical source of information about individual identity.<ref name=Crano>{{Cite journal | last1 = Crano | first1 = W. D. | doi = 10.1037/1089-2699.4.1.68 | title = Milestones in the psychological analysis of social influence | journal = Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice | volume = 4 | pages = 68–80| year = 2000 }}</ref> We naturally make comparisons between our own group and other groups, but we do not necessarily make objective comparisons. Instead, we make evaluations that are self-enhancing, emphasizing the positive qualities of our own group (see [[ingroup bias]]).<ref name=HoggW/> In this way, these comparisons give us a distinct and valued social identity that benefits our self-esteem. Our social identity and group membership also satisfies a need to belong.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Spears | first1 = R. | last2 = Ellemers | first2 = N. | last3 = Doosje | first3 = B. | doi = 10.1002/ejsp.248 | title = Let me count the ways in which I respect thee: Does competence compensate or compromise lack of liking from the group? | journal = European Journal of Social Psychology | volume = 35 | issue = 2 | pages = 263–279 | year = 2005 }}</ref> Of course, individuals belong to multiple groups. Therefore, one's social identity can have several, qualitatively distinct parts (for example, one's ethnic identity, religious identity, and political identity).<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Deaux | first1 = K. | last2 = Reid | first2 = A. | last3 = Mizrahi | first3 = K. | last4 = Ethier | first4 = K. A. | title = Parameters of social identity | doi = 10.1037/0022-3514.68.2.280 | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 68 | issue = 2 | pages = 280–291 | year = 1995 }}</ref>

[[Optimal distinctiveness theory]] suggests that individuals have a desire to be similar to others, but also a desire to differentiate themselves, ultimately seeking some balance of these two desires (to obtain ''optimal distinctiveness'').<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Brewer | first1 = M. B. | title = The Social Self: On Being the Same and Different at the Same Time | doi = 10.1177/0146167291175001 | journal = Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin | volume = 17 | issue = 5 | pages = 475–482 | year = 1991 | s2cid = 145294289 }}</ref> For example, one might imagine a young teenager in the United States who tries to balance these desires, not wanting to be ‘just like everyone else,’ but also wanting to ‘fit in’ and be similar to others. One's collective self may offer a balance between these two desires.<ref name=HoggW/> That is, to be similar to others (those who you share group membership with), but also to be different from others (those who are outside of your group).