Although the role of motivation in social cognition is well-recognized, its application within an intergroup context remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the role of self-motives in shaping attribution patterns within the framework of social identity theory. We argued that when individuals identify strongly with a particular social identity, they are motivated to project their in-group in a positive light, as their self-esteem is closely tied to group membership. This motivation influences the attributions made for the successes and failures of in-group and out-group members, particularly in achievement settings.
To investigate this, we conducted a qualitative study using a self-constructed, unstructured interview guide and analyzed the data through reflexive thematic analysis. Our findings highlighted that the salience/non-salience of gender identity significantly influenced the self-motive activated, which, in turn, affects attribution patterns for in-group and out-group members.
This study demonstrates a novel linkage between self-motives and intergroup attribution by integrating social identity and social cognition theories. Additionally, by employing a qualitative methodology, we introduced a methodological innovation in attribution research, which has traditionally relied on standardized methods. Our findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the motivational mechanisms underlying intergroup attribution processes but also offer new directions for research in this area.