L3 - Self-categorization theory (SCT)

Question 1

How is social-categorisation theory similar to social identity theory?

Answer 1

Shares key assumptions but provides a more detailed account of the psychological mechanisms involved for categorization than SIT

Question 2

SIT is primarily a motivational theory (e.g. why do subjects discriminate in the MG studies?)

SCT on the other hand is primarily a _____ theory

Answer 2

Cognitive

(e.g. why do subjects identify with minimal groups at all?)

Question 3

Is SCT supposed to replace or extend SIT?

Answer 3

Extend

Question 4

What are the core tenets of SCT?

Answer 4

1. Different levels of categorization
2. Processes involved in categorization
3. Determinants of categorization

Question 5

What are the three different levels of categorization?

Answer 5

1. Subordinate
2. Intermediate
3. Superordinate

Question 6

What mechanism does SCT originally use to conceptualise how individuals self-categorize?

Answer 6

The ‘identity mechanism’

Operates as a continuum between personal identity and social identity.

personal identity <————————> social identity

Question 7

According to SCT, when we categorize ourselves as individuals in contrast to other individuals (subordinate level), what identity is salient?

Answer 7

Personal Identity

Question 8

According to SCT, when we categorize ourselves as group members and compare our group to outgroups (intermediate level), which identity is salient?

Answer 8

Social Identity

Question 9

According to SCT, when we categorize ourselves at a superordinate level, what is made salient?

Answer 9

Our shared and universal humanity

Question 10

In SCT, what are the three processes involved in categorization?

Answer 10

1. Meta-contrast
2. Proto-typicality
3. Depersonalization and self-stereotyping

Question 11

Describe the meta-contrast process involved in categorization.

Answer 11

The act of choosing a classification/category based on perceptions of inter-group and intra-group differences and similarities.

(we choose to identify with the group which is most similar to us based on comparative context to other groups)

Question 12

What is the principle behind meta-contrast?

Answer 12

The same relations between people can be perceived either as differences forcing them into different social categories or as similarities binding them within the same social category, depending on the comparative context.

Question 13

Describe the proto-typicality process involved in categorisation according to SCT.

Answer 13

A category ‘prototype’ may be thought of as a ‘representative exemplar’ of a particular category.

(e.g. the popularity of specific in-group members is a direct function of individual proto-typicality)

Question 14

What is proto-typicality dependent on?

Answer 14

Context

What is prototypical of a category is contingent on the context in which the category is encountered.

Question 15

Describe ‘depersonalization’ and how this relates to self-stereotyping in regards to the process of categorization according to the SCT.

Answer 15

Depersonalization is shifting one’s identity away from their personal identity and towards a social identity.

This process is called ‘self-stereotyping’

(they come to see themselves as interchangeable exemplars of a social category)

Question 16

What effect does depersonalization have on an individuals mindset towards their group?

Answer 16

They gain a heightened sense of similarity between themselves and other in-group members.

Question 17

What are individuals likely to self-stereotype as when going through the process of depersonalization?

Answer 17

A ‘typical’ group member

They are likely to compare their group to a contrasting out-group (this process makes collective group action possible)

Question 18

Does SCT view stereotypes as ‘psychologically valid’?

Answer 18

Yes

They orient us to the “actualities of group life”

Question 19

According to SCT, perception, including person-based, group-based and self-based perception is relative and involves the dual cognitive process of _______ and ______

Answer 19

Categorization and Stereotyping

Question 20

What are the two determinants of categorization?

Answer 20

1. Perceiver readiness
2. Fit
   2a. Comparative fit
   2b. Normative fit

Question 21

According to perceiver readiness in SCT, a person’s ‘readiness’ to use a particular self category is dependent on If the self category is….

Answer 21

1. Relevant
2. Useful
3. Likely to be confirmed by evidence/reality

Question 22

What does individuals perceiver readiness rely on?

Answer 22

Their past experiences, present expectations, and current motives, values goals and needs.

(also the relative accessibility of these)

Question 23

What is relevant to determining if there is a comparative fit for an individual to feel properly categorized?

Answer 23

1. Determined by the meta-contrast principle
2. Whether the comparison is relevant
3. Variations in self-categorization is a function of comparative context.

Question 24

This difference in comparison is an example of:

Answer 24

Variation in self-categorization as a function of comparative context (comparative fit)

Question 25

What does normative fit refer to as a determinant to categorization?

Answer 25

Refers to the ‘content’ aspect of categorization.

(the comparative group must be consistent with our normative expectations and belief about a given group)

Question 26

Variation is how people categorize themselves is the rule rather than the exception.

True or False

Answer 26

True