Tajfel, Henri (19191982)

Henri Tajfel is best known for developing the concept of social identity, a central construct in what later became known as social identity theory. His earliest work in psychology was largely experimental and dealt with social perception and stereotyping. Later, he turned his attention to the study of intergroup relations, and it was in this context that social identity theory was formulated. He is also remembered in Europe for the time and energy that he gave to establishing a European style of social psychology, one that recognized the social, political, and historical context within which social behavior takes place.