Role of Social Categorization Theory - Essay Example

Social Categorization Theory Social categorization helps in studying patterns of social change or perspectives of different groups in any society, regarding social or political or any other issue. It would otherwise be highly difficult to assess the nature of opinions of different people as the information obtained would be of a highly conflicting nature. Social categorization deals with such issues by differentiating between the opinions of various groups in a society categorically. “Social categorization occurs when we think about someone- either our self or another person- as a member of a meaningful social group.” (Stangor, 2004, p.112) People can virtually be categorized on the basis of anything- age, colour, gender, ethnicity, work experience etc. The real categorization according to the social categorization theory is to divide people on the basis of some “meaningful” characteristic. Researchers in the theory of social categorization stress the importance of in-group identity and out-group differences (us against them, men and women, whites, and so forth). This theory includes the principle of meta-contrast to explain why people perceive more connections among members of in-group and stress dissimilarity between members of in-group and out-group. (Rothbart & Korostelina, 2011, p. 137) The most plausible harm in simple categorization is done by not taking into account the social outlook of a set of people and label them as a ‘group’ on the basis of a meaningless trait or characteristic. This may create hostility between the various social groups and deviation among the members of each group, as their social outlooks would be different in spite of their common, meaningless characteristic. ...simple categorization into relatively meaningless categories is sufficient to produce in-group bias. The cognitive approach highlights the effects of categorization processes on intergroup judgements and perceptions... Categorization may be imposed by an external agent or may emerge perceptually through differences in subgroup sizes. Minority group category membership tends to be more salient, and information about their members is processed more on the basis of prototypes than exemplars relative to majority group members. (Mnstead & Hewstone, 1996, p. 336) As the main aim of social categorization is to understand the dynamics of various groups and sub groups in a society, therefore, it is imperative that it is based on cognition, rather than a meaningless trait. If individuals within a group do not associate themselves or identify their common experiences or outlooks with their group members, then dissent is likely to occur within that group. Thus the information obtained from such groups is biased and may lead to unreliable results. Social categorization is a natural process and it is human nature to associate itself with individuals having similar outlooks towards life in general. In most cases, an external agent classifies a few individuals as a sub group on the basis of their different opinions or outlooks towards different phenomena. Therefore, the size of the groups may widely vary, so much so that they can be classified as majority or minority groups. It is a common practice to accept an opinion that is widely accepted- meaning that it came from the majority group(s). Thus majority groups have an advantage of making instant influence on the system of a society. While the information collected from the majority group is based on relevant attitudes of all the group members; a minority group provides in depth opinions of its individual members. The minority group may provide logical solutions to various issues or may highlight crucial social issues that may have been ignored up till then. The rate of exerting influence by the minority group is comparatively slower than that of the majority group- but it is not something without any value. As the information is gathered from prototypes- the real models, therefore, the information collected is more reliable, logical and authentic. However, the influence it makes on national or global policies is slow. ...since out-group categorization can have opposing outcomes to those predicted in intergroup relations theory. We must indeed acknowledge the facts: even when categorized as outgroup and the subject of overt and direct discrimination, a minority can still induce change, although of an indirect, private or delayed nature. (Mugny, Perez, & Lamongie, 2009, p.15) Social categorization theory is based on categorizing individuals into various groups on the basis of their cognition and behaviour rather than individualism, which is “inherent in many cognitive information processing approaches.” (Manstead & Hewstone, 1996, p. 533) The members of the same group become aware of their similarities or common approaches towards specific issues, and realize the difference in opinions of the opposing groups. Thus it helps them develop their identity and place in a particular social set up. It encourages them to have a collective voice regarding a social or a political issue and initiates the process of change in society. “Social categorization fundamentally influences how people process information about others: actual differences between members of the same category tend to be minimized whereas differences between the groups tend to be exaggerated (Abrams 1985).” (Al Haj, Mielke, Bois, Smidt & Shohat, 2007, p. 27) This further prepares them for either acceptance or rejection from other groups of society- thus shaping their personal or group experiences in a new way. “... it is the social categorization of others into in-group and out-group that determines whether there will be acceptance or rejection of influence from those others on a relevant topic.” (Forgas & Williams,2001, p. 298) Even if the minority group represent a completely different outlook towards something, they would definitely vie for acceptable and positive social categorization “through either social change within a group or individual social mobility (Tajfel, 1982).” (Snyder, 2006, p. 84) this explains the influence of minorities on their collective outlook towards life on any particular agenda. “Persuasion attempts that come from minority, on the other hand, do not have the advantage of number. Rather, the minority can only produce influence by convincing the majority that their opinions are valid.” (Stangor, 2004, p.104) Thus, social categorization theory aims at providing recognition and strength to the minorities that can strive to make influence on the social system in the long run. References Al Haj, M., Mielke, R., Bois, D. I., Smidt, N. & Shohat, S. S. (2007) Cultural diversity and the empowerment of minorities. Berghahn books, USA Forgas, P. F. & Williams, D. K. (2001) Social influence: direct and indirect processes. Taylor & Francis Group, USA. Kohel, L. S. (2008) The role of categorization and goal compatibility, relative power, and relative status on intergroup attitudes between various racial/ethnic groups in the United States. UMI, USA. Manstead, R. A. & Hewstone, M. (1996) The Blackwell encyclopaedia of social psychology. Blackwell Publishing, USA. Mugny, G., Perez, A. J., & Lamongie, W. V. (2009) The social psychology of minority influence. Cambridge University Press, UK. Rothbart, D. & Korostelina, K. (2011) Why they die: civilian devastation in violent conflict. The University of Michigan Press, USA. Snyder, R. K. (2006) Peer influence contexts of alcohol use among first-year college students: Investigating the roles of race, ethnicity, and gender through multigroup measured variable structural equation modelling. UMI, USA. Stangor, C. (2004) Social groups in action and interaction. Psychology Press, New York. Read More