Self-Categorization Theory Flashcards

Self-Categorization Theory Overview

• Self-categorization involves identifying oneself with specific social categories.
• Factors influencing self-categorization include accessibility (how easily a category comes to mind) and fit (how well it reflects social reality).

Levels of Identity

• Identity consists of three levels: human, social, and personal.
• As one identity becomes more prominent, the salience of the others decreases.

Constant Categorization

• Individuals are perpetually categorizing themselves and others based on perceived characteristics.

Accessibility in Categorization

• Accessibility is determined by how readily a social category can be recalled.
• Examples of categories include chronically accessible (e.g., race) versus temporarily accessible (e.g., occupation).

Social Identities and Communication

• Social identities can be made accessible through various communication forms, such as language, attire, and media representation.

Fit in Self-Categorization

• Fit reflects how well a category represents social reality.
• Comparative fit assesses how well a category distinguishes similarities and differences among individuals.
• Normative fit measures how well a person aligns with stereotypes associated with their category.

Depersonalization and Prototypes

• Depersonalization occurs when individuals are categorized based on group prototypes instead of unique traits.
• Prototypes serve as mental representations of individuals within specific social identities, emphasizing both intragroup similarities and intergroup differences.

Social Identity Selection

• Social identities can be imposed rather than chosen, especially for individuals in non-dominant groups.
• Stereotyping occurs when a prototype is generalized to an entire group.

Gender as a Social Category

• Gender encompasses characteristics defining masculinity and femininity and is performative rather than inherent.
• Important distinctions include transgender, cis-gender, non-binary, and binary identities.
• Gender awareness begins early, often represented by color associations (blue for boys, pink for girls).

Gender Communication Prototypes

• Men are typically associated with assertive communication styles.
• Women are generally linked to affiliative communication styles.

Experimental Insights

• An experiment tested communication prototypes by organizing students into teams for a game of competitive tag.
• In one version, teams were randomly assigned, while in another, boys and girls were put on separate teams, demonstrating prototype behaviors. The boys displayed more assertiveness, while the girls exhibited greater affiliation.