Retrieval Selectivity in the Processing of Self-referent Information: Testing the Boundaries of Self-protection

The current research aimed to examine evidence for the construct validity of the three-factor model of social identity as measured by the three dimensional strength of group identification scale proposed by &;lt;citeref rid="b5"&;gt;Cameron (2004). The 12-item version of the three dimensional strength of group identification scale was used to collect data from an undergraduate sample (N = 219) to assess their social identification across three distinct group memberships. This data was subjected to confirmatory factor analysis to examine the fit of the three-factor model of social identity in comparison to fit indices for one- and two-factor models. The results indicate that the three-factor model is the most parsimonious and best fit to the data, providing empirical support for the hypothesized three-factor structure of social identity. In addition, the fact that different patterns of means and correlations emerged across groups emerged on the three dimensions, provides further evidence for a multidimensional model of social identification.