Membership Has Its Privileges: Group Identity Benefits US Troops

The well-known phrase "membership has its
privileges," brings to mind the benefits
belonging to a select group confer on an
individual. On closer consideration, it's clear that
some of these benefits are instrumental: the
receipt of resources which are actually provided, or
at least perceived as available. Others
are based on something much less tangible. The
latter type of benefits, and the advantages they
impart to each of us, are the subject of this book.
What changes about someone when they gain entrance
to a select group? Why might groups, perceived as
high-status, be so alluring to join? What are the
benefits to individuals of belonging to such well-
regarded groups? We'll explore these questions in
the context of examining research I conducted on 210
US combat soldiers deployed to Iraq. The main
findings from this research suggest that membership
in esteemed groups enhance self-esteem. And
belonging to such groups can buffer the detrimental
effects of stress, even combat stress. This book
will be of interest to anyone curious about the
allure and benefits of groups, as well as
researchers studying identity, stress, combat, or
coping.

Autorentext

Dr. Callahan is shown here with his main sources of joy and identity: daughters Finley and Riley, and his wife Claudia! He and his family live in Fayetteville, NC. Dr. Callahan earned his MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from New York University. He has also served in multiple US Army Infantry and Special Forces units following 9/11/01.

Klappentext

The well-known phrase "membership has its privileges," brings to mind the benefits belonging to a select group confer on an individual. On closer consideration, it's clear that some of these benefits are instrumental: the receipt of resources which are actually provided, or at least perceived as available. Others are based on something much less tangible. The latter type of benefits, and the advantages they impart to each of us, are the subject of this book. What changes about someone when they gain entrance to a select group? Why might groups, perceived as high-status, be so alluring to join? What are the benefits to individuals of belonging to such well-regarded groups? We'll explore these questions in the context of examining research I conducted on 210 US combat soldiers deployed to Iraq. The main findings from this research suggest that membership in esteemed groups enhance self-esteem. And belonging to such groups can buffer the detrimental effects of stress, even combat stress. This book will be of interest to anyone curious about the allure and benefits of groups, as well as researchers studying identity, stress, combat, or coping.