Lecture 3: Identification, Categorization, and Stereotypes: Core Micro-Level (Intrapersonal) Processes

Question 1

What happens when we identify with an ingroup?

Answer 1

• the group becomes the basis for self-evaluation
• the group becomes the basis for the attraction
• the group becomes the basis for influence (conformity)
  - groups are a source of self-representation
• personal self-sacrifice - cooperation/ solidarity
• the group norms become the basis for our cross-group interactions
• treat them good if we like them, treat them bad if we don’t.

Question 2

Are collective identities “bad”?

Answer 2

All of this begs the more basic question… are groups bad?
- YES, groups can be at the heart of some of the worst atrocities.
- BUT, collective identities create the psychological basis for cooperation within groups
- AND, collective identities can also encourage positive behaviour toward outgroups.
Use collective identities to come together and protest something we care about- doesn’t matter where we’re from→, climate change protest, free Palestine, etc.
- AND, collective identities serve valuable functions for individual people.
- AND, collective identities are essential to social change and to resistance against oppression and tyranny.

Question 3

What is categorization and its consequences?

Answer 3

• we categorize people (including ourselves) like we categorize other stimuli.
• We use shared characteristics/actions/ functions of the individuals
• We also use situational cues (e.g., arrangement in space)

consequences of categorization
- depersonalized:
-individuals are (to some degree) now seen as interchangeable representatives of the category.
- within- group homogeneity: we tend to see greater similarity within groups
- *accentuation of group difference
- we tend to see greater contrast between groups.

A group exists when two or more people define themselves as members of the group and when non-members recognize its existence.

Question 4

What are the psychological building blocks of intergroup relations?

Answer 4

• a social self (selecting the relevant “me”)
• a collective identity (“me” becomes “we”)
• Ingroup identification (“we” becomes important)
• categorization (seeing individuals as group members)
  social groups (a shared understanding of meaningful groups)
• Intergroup Relations (“us” and “them,” not “me” and “you”).

Question 5

What are stereotypes?

Answer 5

1. stereotypes are “generalizations about a group of people that differentiate them from other groups. Stereotypes are simple, overgeneralized, inaccurate, acquired secondhand, and resistant to new information.
2. stereotypes are generalizations about a group of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all members of the group, regardless of actual variation among members.
3. stereotypes are “socially” shared beliefs shared by members.

Both of the two definitions imply…
- stereotypes are erroneous
- stereotypes involve flawed thinking (or lack of thinking)
- stereotypes are undesirable.

Question 6

What’s wrong with this type of view on stereotypes?

Answer 6

It doesn’t account for the fact that…

• stereotypes are normal. Like all beliefs, forming and holding beliefs about groups is an automatic (normal) cognitive process.
• Can lead to evaluations that are positive, negative, or neutral.
• Can be held about the ingroup (self-stereotypes) and can be applied to ourselves (Self-stereotyping).
• Are like other group norms and thus can be good or bad.
• Stereotypes can be functional.

Question 7

How are stereotypes functional?

Answer 7

Functional for the holder
- categorization simplifies the world
- groups/ categories are meaningless without stereotypes
- allows us to know things (have expectations) about the social world.
- allows us to fill in the blanks when information is incomplete.

Functional for interpersonal interactions.
- stereotypes as knowledge (cultural sensitivity/ awareness)

Functional for intergroup relations
- multiculturalism
- colorblindness: ignoring categories/ avoiding stereotyping