The Extended Identity-Optimism-Support (IOS) Model

August 8, 2023

Every year on the Sunday after National Day celebrations, the Prime Minister gives a National Day Rally speech to set out the challenges and directions for Singapore for that year, uniting the nation towards a common identity and direction.

Singapore is often characterised as a communal state where policies are undertaken for the common good. The project, ‘The Extended Identity-Optimism-Support (IOS) Model’, by Associate Professor Lile Jia (NUS Psychology) seeks to uncover the deeper mechanisms through which this paradigm works. His previous research revealed that the greater a member’s identification with a group, the more optimistic the member will be about the group’s future. In the current project, Jia aims to obtain a more nuanced view of this phenomenon.

As a whole, this project incorporates a study of threat and uncertainty. While the idea that we live in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world is not new, Jia notes that recent international events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of political extremism has resulted in environments of heightened threat and uncertainty.

The project has two aims, divided into two studies. Study 1 expands on Jia’s previous work to understand Singaporean national identity through four factors: (1) how much a person wants to benefit the group, (2) how much a person views the group identity as part of their own personal identity, (3) how far a person thinks their group is superior to other groups, and (4) the extent to which a person respects the group’s symbols, norms, and hierarchy. These factors are then tested for their relationship, if any, to group optimism and support under conditions of threat and uncertainty.

Study 2 departs from the focus on Singaporean national identity to group identity more generally. Here, Jia seeks to uncover how group identity arises. He also seeks to understand how people may cooperate in groups under conditions of threat and uncertainty towards collective success.

Ultimately, this project aims to contribute to addressing policy concerns such as those involved in nation-building, including fostering citizenship participation and support for national initiatives for the common good.