Perception of Territory and Social Identity

Abstract

"The aim of this research is to analyze to what extent the regional space in which inhabitants live and/or belong plays an important role in social identity traits. Considering social identity as a result of the intergroup differentiation process, it gives rise to two basic mechanisms: social categorisation and social comparison. Both mechanisms are tested in this research: 1) when seeking to ascertain which are the dimensions that permit to define the inhabitants of a territory as members belonging to it and 2) when establishing the territorial limits where the exogroup appears; respectively. A sample of 979 young residents in the province of Madrid filled in a questionnaire about social identity and regional awareness. The importance of concepts such as "to be born" versus "to live" and "city" versus "province" were analyzed as basic dimensions on the definition of "madrileflo" (from Madrid) concept. Several statistical analyses about the identification with neighbouring regions were also carried out. Findings of several statistical analyses highlighted "to live" and "province" as key concepts in the definition of "madrileflo", reinforcing, therefore, the self identity. On the other hand, the importance of physical space in the establishment of identity traits with neighbouring regions was also highlighted when the limits between them were only of a political character."