The Role of Social Identities in Shaping Social and Intergenerational Mobility: Exploring If and How Our Group Memberships Influence Future Success

Dear Colleagues,

Social mobility refers to individuals achieving better outcomes than their parents. Relatedly, intergenerational mobility reflects the progress individuals make in enhancing their social standing during their lives. Social and intergenerational mobility are most typically considered in relation to the following: (1) Drivers—early indicators of likely mobility among children and young people, such as education and conditions of childhood. (2) Intermediate Outcomes—transitions to employment and early adulthood experiences among those aged 20–30 years. Social and intergenerational mobility are typically assessed at aggregate population levels rather than the individual level due to the myriad societal factors that influence the likelihood of achieving mobility. Nevertheless, individual- and group-level factors can shape the perceived desirability and attainability of social and intergenerational mobility. 

A social identity approach is theoretically salient, yet relatively underexplored, in relation to understanding beliefs and outcomes related to social and intergenerational mobility. Social identities—the groups to which individuals psychologically belong—and the number of identities, their associated norms, and the strengths of these identities influence beliefs and behaviour, which may have important implications for mobility outcomes. Furthermore, specific social identity mechanisms, such as the social identity model of change, social identity continuity, and social identity stigmatisation, offer promising frameworks for understanding why social mobility may be more or less desirable or attainable for particular individuals and groups. For example, a strong identification with a particular social class among children and young people may shape attitudes and behaviours towards education that could influence the pursuit or attainment of social mobility. 

This Special Issue aims to consolidate and disseminate social identity approaches to understanding social and intergenerational mobility. More broadly, it seeks to foster a more nuanced and in-depth understanding of how social identities and group memberships shape attitudes and behaviours in ways that may be associated with, or help explain, social and intergenerational mobility prospects and outcomes. 

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Social identities and mobility beliefs and/or outcomes;
• Social identities and attitudes towards education, health, and/or finance;
• Social identities and behaviour linked to education, health, and/or finance;
• Group differences in relation to mobility beliefs and/or outcomes;
• Social identity-related barriers and facilitators to mobility;
• Psychological consequences/experiences linked to social mobility by those who achieved it. 

Important note on social identities: Social identities may reflect any psychologically meaningful groups with which individuals identify. These may include, for example, gender, ethnicity, age (e.g., generation), family, community or social groups, and regional groups. They may also include combinations of these groups. More broadly, any ways in which individuals define themselves in relation to their groups and communities may be considered social identities. 

Dr. Robert Portman
Guest Editor

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• social mobility
• intergenerational mobility
• social identity
• group memberships
• mobility beliefs
• aspirations
• identity and behaviour