Ambivalence toward the ingroup underlies individual identity management strategies

The present research deals with low status group members reacting to a social identity threat. According to previous insights, we proposed and found that expressing an ambivalent evaluation toward the ingroup – an evaluation which contains both positive and negative aspects – may represent a way to manage such a threatening situation, particularly when individuals scantly identify with the ingroup. We found evidence that ambivalence toward the ingroup underpins the willingness to invest in individual identity management strategies. Results confirmed our interpretation of ambivalence as a form of psychological disengagement as well as how this disengagement further determines an individual course of action.