When groups help and when groups harm: origins, developments, and future directions of the 'social cure' perspective of group dynamics

Wakefield, JRH ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9155-9683, Bowe, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0491-1472, Kellezi, B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4825-3624, McNamara, N ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3123-3678 and Stevenson, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2438-6425, 2019. When groups help and when groups harm: origins, developments, and future directions of the 'social cure' perspective of group dynamics. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 13 (3): e12440. ISSN 1751-9004

Preview

Text 13128_a1325_Wakefield.pdf - Post-print Download (236kB) | Preview

Abstract

A substantial literature supports the important role that social group memberships play in enhancing health. While the processes through which group memberships constitute a ‘Social Cure’ are becoming increasingly well-defined, the mechanisms through which these groups contribute to vulnerability and act as a ‘Social Curse’ are less understood. We present an overview of the Social Cure literature, and then go beyond this to show how the processes underpinning the health benefits of group membership can also negatively affect individuals through their absence. First, we provide an overview of early Social Cure research. We then describe later research concerning the potential health benefits of identifying with multiple groups, before moving on to consider the ‘darker side’ of the Social Cure by exploring how intra-group dynamics can foster Curse processes. Finally, we synthesise evidence from both the Cure and Curse literatures to highlight the complex interplay between these phenomena, and how they are influenced by both intra- and inter-group processes. We conclude by considering areas we deem vital for future investigation within the discipline.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Creators:	Wakefield, J.R.H., Bowe, M., Kellezi, B., McNamara, N. and Stevenson, C.
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
Date:	March 2019
Volume:	13
Number:	3
ISSN:	1751-9004
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1111/spc3.12440 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	15 Jan 2019 10:09
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2020 03:00
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/35556

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads