Social Psychology of Citizenship and Identity

Social psychology of citizenship and identity examines how individuals come to perceive themselves as members of political and social communities, how they claim rights and enact responsibilities, and how these processes shape both personal and collective behaviour. At its core lies an exploration of the interplay between self‐definition and recognition by others, whether through legal status, public space interactions or everyday encounters. The field draws on social identity theory to understand group‐based self‐categorisation, and on social representations to trace the shared frameworks that guide how citizens interpret concepts such as belonging, rights and duties. Citizenship is conceived not merely as a legal condition but as an active, reflective practice embedded in social contexts: from micro‐behaviours in public spaces to large‐scale mutual aid initiatives. Research highlights how inequalities and misrecognition can undermine individuals’ sense of agency and belonging, while practices of solidarity, trust and inclusive dialogue foster cohesion. The global significance of this work is evident in its application to diverse contexts—from pandemic mutual aid networks to youth place‐making and intercultural encounters—offering insights for policymakers, educators and community organisers seeking to strengthen participatory democracy and social integration.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Social Psychology of Citizenship and Identity publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in social psychology of citizenship and identity across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Social identity: the aspect of an individual’s self‐concept derived from perceived membership of social groups, which guides behaviour and intergroup relations.

Social representations: collectively elaborated sets of values, ideas and practices that shape how societies make sense of social objects, including citizenship.

Recognition: the social and legal acknowledgement of an individual’s or group’s rights, status and belonging, essential for psychological well‐being and civic engagement.

Enactment of citizenship: the practical expression of membership, rights and responsibilities through actions such as participation in public space, mutual aid or political dialogue.

References

1. The Social Psychology of Citizenship, Participation and Social Exclusion: Introduction to the Special Thematic Section. Journal of Social and Political Psychology (2015).
2. Rehearsing post‐Covid‐19 citizenship: Social representations of UK Covid‐19 mutual aid. British Journal of Social Psychology (2022).
3. Constructing the places of young people in public space: Conflict, belonging and identity. British Journal of Social Psychology (2022).
4. Recognising recognition: Self‐other dynamics in everyday encounters and experiences. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (2022).