Social identity theory suggests that an individual's self-concept is shaped through group identification and positive social identities are established by favorably comparing the individual's in-group against an out-group. When unfavorable intergroup comparisons occur, individuals perceive a negative social identity. Because of the motivation to maintain a positive self-concept, this perception creates a need to cope. On the basis of face-to-face interviews with Mexican immigrants, the author examined the ways in which negative social-identity perceptions triggered different coping mechanisms. The findings offer support for two coping mechanisms-individual mobility and social creativity, with social creativity used more often than individual mobility. © 2008 Heldref Publications.

Social identity theory Group identification Individual mobility Mexican immigrants Ethnic identity

social psychology psychological aspect Stereotyping Social Identification human Adaptation, Psychological ethnology Mexico United States Humans Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female adaptive behavior self concept Article adult Psychological Theory migration Nevada social behavior Mexican Americans