IRLS 588793 Lecture 4: Groups

1
IRLS 588-793 Lecture 4 Groups

• The adoption of and tendency to reify the
  molecule metaphor of the relationship between
  individual and group as tended to obscure the
  point that, people in groups, unlike atoms in
  molecules, can contain psychologically the whole
  within themselves that is, they can cognitively
  represent the group to themselves and act in
  terms of that cognitive representation. (Hogg
  and Abrams Social Identifications 101)

2
Review

• Persons have a human right to express, access,
  and keep private information
• Persons and groups may be characterized by
  distinctive ways of knowing.
• The U.S. constitution protects the right to speak
  and read, but allows certain governmental
  restrictions.

3
Overview

• Types of social groups
• Categorization
• Social Categorization Theory
• Cultural Groups
• Material Bases of Identity

4
Social Groups

• Aggregates
• Mere classes or categories
• Attribution Groups
• Socially salient classes or categories
• Affiliation Groups
• Organized groups joined based on choice
• Social Groups
• Socially salient categories where members
  self-identify.
• Cultural Groups
• Groups with (typically) a shared language,
  culture, and history.

5
Categorization Theory

• We are natural categorizers.
• E.g., language functions via categories
• Note we can categorize in a large number of
  ways--think of Allys animate rocks.
• The act of categorization has cognitive
  consequences.
• Accentuation of differences between categories
• Accentuation of similarities among members of a
  category

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Cognitive consequences of social categorization

• Us
• Good fortune deserved
• Bad fortune luck
• High on positive characteristics
• Me in relation to Us
• Just like the rest of us
• Likely to trust fellow members

• Them
• Bad fortune deserved
• Good fortune luck
• High on negative characteristics
• Me in relation to Them
• Nothing like them
• They are not trustworthy.

7
Categorization Theory of Social Identity

• Attributions--others see you as the member of
  some category.
• Shared categories--leads you to see yourself as a
  member.
• Similar treatment--you may come to share much in
  common with those who share your category.

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Pieriks Theory of Cultural Groups

• Cultural Communities (p. 536)
• Identity perceive themselves as a community
  that shares a common identity.
• Social structure roles and status
  differentiations regulated by shared social
  norms.
• Interdependent members are interdependent.

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Identity It aint all in the head

• Social and material bases of identity.
• Biological or other features shared by others may
  create real similarities--children, teenagers,
  deaf persons, etc.
• Social structures, environment, history, etc.
  shape and define the culture.
• Social structures may create classes of people
  with similar experiences, who do not recognize
  this
• Workers of the world unite!