Three experiments tested two competing hypotheses about the legitimacy of social systems among disadvantaged groups. The first hypothesis was derived from social identity theory, and assumes that perceived legitimacy is positively linked to group interest. The second hypothesis was drawn from system justification theory and states that perceived legitimacy is negatively linked to group interests. In Studies 1 (79 nursing students) and 2 (49 psychology students) participants believed that their in-group had either intermediate status (i.e., a disadvantaged group who might experience some advantages from the hierarchy) or low status in the hierarchy. They rated the legitimacy of general, national health, and intergroup hierarchy systems. Study 3 considered in-group threat, and involved 101 nursing students. The results indicate that perceived legitimacy was generally higher in the intermediate-status condition than in the low-status condition. In-group threat was higher in the low-status condition, and partially mediated the effect of status on system justification. This paper contributes to knowledge about the mechanisms of legitimization of social hierarchies and social systems and suggests that disadvantaged groups are more likely to justify the social hierarchy if they derive some advantages from it. One way in which disadvantaged groups may derive social advantages from the hierarchy is by performing positive downward social comparisons, for example, an intermediate group comparing itself with a group lower in the hierarchy. It is argued that system justification may be used as an identity management strategy to avoid social identity threat.

中文翻译：

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基于系统合理性理论和社会认同理论的身份合法性效应的对比解释

三个实验检验了关于弱势群体社会制度合法性的两个相互竞争的假设。第一个假设源于社会认同理论，并假设感知到的合法性与群体利益正相关。第二个假设是从系统合理性理论得出的，并指出，合法性与群体利益负相关。在研究1（79名护理系学生）和2研究（49名心理学系学生）中，参与者认为他们的小组中处于中间状态（即，弱势群体可能会从分层结构中获得某些优势）或处于低级状态。他们评估了一般，国家卫生和团体间等级制度的合法性。研究3考虑了小组内威胁，涉及101名护理学生。结果表明，在中间状态下的合法性通常高于低状态下的合法性。在低状态情况下，组内威胁较高，并且部分地介导了状态对系统合理性的影响。本文有助于了解社会等级制度和社会制度合法化的机制，并建议弱势群体如果从中获得一些好处，则更有可能为社会等级制度辩护。弱势群体可以从层次结构中获得社会优势的一种方法是通过进行积极的向下社会比较，例如，将中间群体与层次结构中较低的群体进行比较。有人认为，系统合理性可以用作避免社会身份威胁的身份管理策略。