INTC 1F90 Lecture : 02 - Identity and Biases 2.docx
Document Summary
Barack obama the first american president of african descent. Social role marked by its difference and unknowability, which in some ways is quite threatening to the stability of the social structures you occupy. Identity: a relatively stable understanding of one"s self and its relationship to the surrounding world (culture) Choices limited to what is acceptable within that particular culture. Stereotyping: the process of categorising information for easier understanding / use. Group formation cultural identity aids group formation by defining what is good and what is bad; who belongs and who doesn"t. Individual alignment with the group"s values, norms and social practices determines group belonging, developing in-groups and out-groups. Benefits of group membership: protection, familiarity, more efficient use of resources, division of labour/roles, entertainment, etc. In group: people with whom you share a strong, cooperative bond (us) Processes: social categorizing, stereotyping, ethnocentrism, prejudice, discrimination, racism. Social categorising: cognitive process of sorting stimuli to negotiate social/cultural situations.