The present paper is presenting a model of interaction between internal and external factors implicated in the selection of social identity strategies (Nastas, in press). For testing some of the basic assumptions of the model four factors initial ingroup identification, personal ability relevant for intergroup context, permeability of intergrpoup boundaries and intergroup status -were systematically manipulated in an extensive laboratory experiment. In particular, the obtained initial data proved that the main factor implicated in choosing social identity strategies is initial social identification measured as an affective commitment toward ingroup. The other factors were considered as mediators or moderators with respect to social identification’s impact on strategies. Results confirmed some of the main assumptions of the model suggesting also the needed adjustments.