SOCIAL IDENTITY AND ITS ROLE IN INTERGROUP CONFLICT AND COOPERATION
Indonesia 
Lebanon Lebanon 
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Group Dynamics, Intergroup Conflict, Social Identity
Abstract
This study explores the concept of social identity and its influence on intergroup conflict and cooperation. Social identity theory posits that individuals derive a sense of self from their membership in social groups, which can significantly impact interactions between groups. The research aims to investigate how social identity affects both the escalation of conflict and the potential for cooperation between distinct groups. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, to gather data from 300 participants representing multiple social groups. The quantitative data analyzed using regression analysis highlights that strong group identification is correlated with heightened intergroup conflict, while lower levels of social identity salience were found to promote cooperation. The qualitative findings support these results, revealing that intergroup cooperation is facilitated when individuals perceive common goals and values across group boundaries. These findings suggest that social identity plays a crucial role in shaping group dynamics, with implications for both conflict resolution and fostering intergroup cooperation. The study concludes that interventions aimed at reducing intergroup tensions should focus on reshaping social identities to emphasize shared goals and values, rather than focusing solely on minimizing differences.
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