Rebels with a cause: Group identification as a response to perceived discrimination from the mainstream

Two studies involving people with body piercings tested the hypothesis that perceived discrimination increases group identification. In Study 1, group identification mediated the positive relationship between perceived discri mination and attempts to differentiate the ingroup from the mainstream. In Study 2, perceived discrimination against people with body piercings was ma nipulated and was found to increase group identification. Support was found for the prediction that group identification mediates the relation-ship be tween perceptions of discrimination and collective self-esteem. Results dem onstrate the importance of group identification for both the meaning of gro up membership and its consequences for well-being among members of disadvan taged groups.