social categorization and cognitive manipulations 250 400 words

Social Categorization

The human mind’s natural tendency is to categorize the social world so that individuals can make sense out of its incredible complexity. It is also possible, however, for individuals to actively control their cognitive processing in order to diminish the power of social categorization. Social science professionals refer to this process as cognitive manipulation.

For this discussion, consider how cognitive manipulations may be used to reduce the power of the stereotypical beliefs that underlie social categorization.

In this essay, please follow the instructions as below:

1. Give one example of social categorization.
2. Apply at least one of the cognitive manipulations to the example you selected and explain how it might reduce the power of the group stereotype.
3. Explain one strategy you might use to encourage use of cognitive manipulations in order to reduce social categorization.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and the current literature.

Readings

• Fiske, S. T., Gilbert, D. T., & Lindzey, G. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of social psychology (5th ed., Vol. 2). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Chapter 29, “Intergroup Bias”
• Dasgupta, N. (2004). Implicit ingroup favoritism, outgroup favoritism, and their behavioral manifestations. Social Justice Research, 17(2), 143–169.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Perdue, C. W., Dovidio, J. F., Gurtman, M. B., & Tyler, R. B. (1990). Us and them: Social categorization and the process of intergroup bias. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(3), 475–486.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations (The Nelson-Hall series in psychology) (pp. 7–24). Chicago, IL: Burnham.
  The psychology of intergroup relations by S. Worchel & W.G. Austin. Copyright 1986 by STEPHEN WORCHEL. Reprinted by permission of STEPHEN WORCHEL via the Copyright Clearance Center.
• Turner, J. C., & Reynolds, K. J. (2001). The social identity perspective in intergroup relations: Theories, themes, and controversies. In R. Brown & S. Gaertner (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Intergroup processes (pp. 133–152). Malden, MA: Blackwell.
  Intergroup Processes by Brown, R. & Gaertner, S., in Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology Series. Copyright 2001 by Blackwell Publishing. Reprinted by permission of Blackwell Publishing via the Copyright Clearance Center.
• Wenzel, M., Mummendey, A., Weber, U., & Waldzus, S. (2003). The ingroup as pars pro toto: Projection from the ingroup onto the inclusive category as a precursor to social discrimination. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(4), 461–473.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.