Self and Collective: Cognition and Social Context

Abstract

The relationship between the self and the collective is discussed from the perspective of self-categorization theory. Self-categorization theory makes a basic distinction between personal and social identity as different levels of self-categorization. It shows how the emergent properties of group processes can be explained in terms of a shift in self perception from personal to social identity. It also elucidates how self-categorization varies with the social context. It argues that self-categorizing is inherently variable, fluid, and context dependent, as sedf-categories are social comparative and are always relative to a frame of reference. This notion has major implications for accepted ways of thinking about the self: The variability of self-categorizing provides the perceiver with behavioral and cognitive flexibility and ensures that cognition is always shaped by the social context in which it takes place.

The farmer as a landscape steward: Comparing local understandings of landscape stewardship, landscape values, and land management actions

“…One may question whether the stewardship types presented here are dynamic and context dependent, or transcend specific situations. Social identity theory suggests that individuals have multiple social identities that correspond to widening circles of group membership (Turner et al 1994). The resilience literature also suggests that individuals can adapt their identities to address changes within the socialecological context (Folke et al 2005).…”

And now for something completely different? The impact of group membership on perceptions of creativity

“…Importantly too, whether she categorizes herself as an individual or as a member of a given group will have important consequences for both her perceptions and her behavior (Turner, Oakes, Haslam & McGarty, 1994).…”

“…We noted above that one of the core predictions of self-categorization theory is that when personal identity is salient, individuals' perceptions will be informed more by their idiosyncratic preferences than when social identity is salient and they are more likely to see the world and act in a manner consistent with group norms (Reicher, 1984;Spears, Lea & Lee, 1990;Wilder & Shapiro, 1984;Turner et al, 1994). When it comes to perceptions of creativity, one implication of this is that when personal identity is salient and a particular group norm is made explicit, people will tend either to ignore the norm or to deviate from it Social identity and creativity 9 as a means of expressing their individuality (Jetten et al, 2002).…”

Ethnic self-awareness as a function of ethnic group status, group composition, and ethnic identity orientation.

“…Recent studies have suggested, however, that ethnicity may be a dynamic, fluid part of the social self that varies as a function of the social composition of the settings in which people participate (Turner, Oakes, Haslam, & McGarty, 1994). One aspect of this variability involves ethnic self-awareness, or the extent to which people are consciously aware of their ethnicity at any given moment.…”