Self-categorization theory

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Self-categorization theory is a theory in social psychology that describes the circumstances under which a person will perceive collections of people (including themselves) as a group, as well as the consequences of perceiving people in group terms.[1] Although the theory is often introduced as an explanation of psychological group formation (which was one of its early goals), it is more accurately thought of as general analysis of the functioning of categorization processes in social perception and interaction that speaks to issues of individual identity as much as group phenomena.[2] It was developed by John Turner and colleagues, and along with social identity theory it is a constituent part of the social identity approach. It was in part developed to address questions that arose in response to social identity theory about the mechanistic underpinnings of social identification.[3][4][5][6]

Self-categorization theory has been influential in the academic field of social psychology and beyond.[7] It was first applied to the topics of social influence, group cohesion, group polarization, and collective action.[8] In subsequent years the theory, often as part of the social identity approach, has been applied to further topics such as leadership,[6][9] personality,[10] outgroup homogeneity, and power.[11] One tenet of the theory is that the self should not be considered as a foundational aspect of cognition, but rather the self should be seen as a product of the cognitive system at work.[10][12][13][14]

  1. ^ Haslam, S. A. (1997). Spears, R.; Oakes, P.J.; Ellemers, N.; et al. (eds.). "Stereotyping and social influence: Foundations of stereotype consensus". The Social Psychology of Stereotyping and Group Life: 119–143.
  2. ^ Oakes, Penny; Haslam, Alex; Turner, John (1994). Stereotyping and social reality. Blackwell: Oxford.
  3. ^ Turner, John; Oakes, Penny (1986). "The significance of the social identity concept for social psychology with reference to individualism, interactionism and social influence". British Journal of Social Psychology. 25 (3): 237–252. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8309.1986.tb00732.x.
  4. ^ Haslam, Alex; Oakes, Penny; Turner, John; McGarty, Craig (1996). Sorrentino, Richard; Higgins, Edward (eds.). "Social identity, self-categorization, and the perceived homogeneity of ingroups and outgroups: The interaction between social motivation and cognition". Handbook of Motivation and Cognition: The Interpersonal Context, Handbook of Motivation and Cognition. 3: 182–222.
  5. ^ Turner, J. C. (1999). Ellemers, N.; Spears, R.; Doosje, B. (eds.). "Some current issues in research on social identity and self-categorization theories". Social Identity: 6–34.
  6. ^ a b Haslam, A. S. (2001). Psychology in Organizations. London, SAGE Publications.
  7. ^ Postmes, T. & Branscombe, N. (2010). Sources of social identity. In T. Postmes & N. Branscombe (Eds). Rediscovering Social Identity: Core Sources. Psychology Press.
  8. ^ Turner, J. C., Hogg, M. A., Oakes, P. J., Reicher, S. D. & Wetherell, M. S. (1987). Rediscovering the social group: A self-categorization theory. Oxford: Blackwell
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Haslam, et al. (2011). was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Turner, J. C.; Onorato, R. S. (1998). Tyler, T. R.; Kramer, R. M.; John, O. P. (eds.). "Social identity, personality, and the self-concept: A self-categorization perspective". The Psychology of the Social Self. 26 (4): 11–46. doi:10.1080/03060497.1998.11085868.
  11. ^ Turner, J. C. (2005). "Explaining the nature of power: A three-process theory". European Journal of Social Psychology. 35 (1): 1–22. doi:10.1002/ejsp.244.
  12. ^ Turner, J. C.; Oakes, P. J.; Haslam, S. A.; McGarty, C. (1994). "Self and collective: Cognition and social context". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 20 (5): 454–463. doi:10.1177/0146167294205002. S2CID 143918437.
  13. ^ Reynolds, K. J.; Turner, J. C. (2006). "Individuality and the prejudiced personality". European Review of Social Psychology. 17 (1): 233–270. doi:10.1080/10463280601050880. S2CID 143708527.
  14. ^ Onorato; Turner (2004). "Fluidity in the self-concept: The shift from personal to social identity". European Journal of Social Psychology. 34 (3): 257–278. doi:10.1002/ejsp.195.