Abstract
The core of social identity theory is that individuals define themselves in terms of the groups that they have strong ties with. In this chapter, we seek to explore the circumstances in which individuals have multiple identities that are similar in certain dimensions but fundamentally distinct in others. Yet, how such double-edged affiliations, such as being Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Greek or Turkish, inform the intergroup relations is not clear. In this chapter, we discuss the conditions underlying such complex affiliations and the relevant processes in the relatively complex context of Cyprus. We first discuss the historical background of the Cyprus conflict, the role of major stakeholders in this conflict, and the current state of affairs. Against this backdrop, we elaborate on the social–psychological dimensions of identity politics, and how identity politics relate to the existing identities on the island. We then review the findings from our research and from other scholarly work. We conclude by a discussion of various forms of identification germane to the Cyprus context and their relation to intergroup relations in Cyprus.
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Notes
- 1.
In 2004, new history books for the history of Cyprus were written by the new elected leadership of Mehmet Ali Talat offered an alternative narrative that challenged the separatist and nationalistic narrative that was in place up to that point (see Papadakis (2008) for an analysis of these short-lived books). However, in 2010 with the election of a new nationalist administration these textbooks were replaced by new ones that reverted to the old nationalist narrative described in the text above (see Makriyianni et al., 2011).
- 2.
Turkish word for Greek Cypriot, it is also a word used for Christian Orthodox Turkish citizens today in Turkey and Orthodox Christian subjects during the Ottoman era in Turkey.
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Psaltis, C., Cakal, H. (2016). Social Identity in a Divided Cyprus. In: McKeown, S., Haji, R., Ferguson, N. (eds) Understanding Peace and Conflict Through Social Identity Theory. Peace Psychology Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29869-6_15
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