著者
浅井 亜紀子 Akiko ASAI
雑誌
桜美林論考. 言語文化研究 = The journal of J. F. Oberlin University. Studies in language and culture (ISSN:21850674)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.2, pp.67-82, 2011-03-01

Social identity is defined as one's knowledge of identification with a social group, and its theory has been developed based on experimental research in group-to-group relationships. This qualitative study examines how social identity theory is applicable to college students' feelings of identification with their college. In this study, factors influencing undergraduate students'feelings of identification with their college are investigated, including the roles of college jargon in their identification with their college.Two investigations were conducted. In the first investigation, a total of 24 first grade students were asked the following: (1)to report their transitional experiences from their high school to college in one year;(2)to complete a three day journal twice a year;(3)to join group discussions on two occasions;(4)to write a report about their one year transitional experiences upon entering college. In another investigation, a total of 159 undergraduates were asked to write a report of their feelings of identification with their college, and they were examined on their knowledge of jargons used on campus.The results found three factors influencing their sense of identification with their college:(1)human relationships in college, (2)knowledge and skills of goal-achievement in college, and (3)comparison of their college with other colleges. Jargon also plays an important role in promoting relationships with other members, utilizing university knowledge effectively, and giving authentic feelings of memberships of their college in informal ways. Theoretical implications of social identity are also discussed.