According to social identity theory, which factor primarily influences an individual's self-concept and behavior towards others?

Social identity theory suggests that a person's self-concept and behavior towards others are heavily influenced by the groups they belong to. This means that people often define themselves based on their membership in social groups, like their nationality, religion, or sports teams. For example, if someone identifies strongly as a member of a particular team, they might feel proud and act positively towards fellow team members while being less friendly towards fans of rival teams. This group identification can lead to favoritism, where individuals show preference for their own group, sometimes leading to prejudice against others. Therefore, understanding how social identities shape our views can help address issues of bias and promote more inclusive behavior.