What concept relates to how people's definitions of themselves change based on cultural contexts?

Social Identity Theory explains how individuals derive a sense of identity from the groups they belong to, particularly in relation to cultural contexts. This theory posits that people categorize themselves and others into various social groups, which can include but are not limited to ethnic, national, and cultural identities. The shift in how individuals define themselves based on their cultural environment illustrates the dynamic nature of identity as it is influenced by societal norms, values, and expectations.

This framework facilitates understanding how individuals may resonate with different aspects of their identity when they interact with varying social contexts, reflecting the fluidity of self-concept in relation to cultural influences. For instance, a person might emphasize their national identity in one setting while focusing on their cultural identity in another, demonstrating the adaptability of self-perception in response to cultural factors.

In contrast, while concepts like Cultural Identity and Self-Contextualization touch on aspects of how identity relates to culture, they do not encapsulate the broader array of social dynamics and group categorizations that Social Identity Theory addresses. Similarly, Self-Differentiation generally pertains more to the psychological processes of recognizing oneself as distinct from others rather than situational changes in self-definition tied to cultural contexts.