A leadership looking glass: How reflected appraisals of leadership shape individuals’ own perceived prototypicality and group identification

Research on social identity and leadership rarely examines processes from the perspective of leaders themselves. Three studies (experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional) help fill this gap. Integrating principles with a reflected appraisals perspective, we demonstrate that as individuals come to see themselves (informal) in group, it positively affects their own sense fit group prototype. Their perceived prototypicality, turn, yields strengthened attachment (identification). Importantly, racial ethnic minority groups – an understudied context, yet where develop meaningful conceptions identification, implications for health commitment collective action. Altogether, provides insights processes, leadership.