In-groups, Out-groups, and Social Identities

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from the lecture notes on in-groups, out-groups, and various theories of identity.

In-group

A social category or group with which an individual strongly identifies, leading to a sense of belonging.

Out-group

A social category or group with which one does not identify.

Stereotyping

Generalizing characteristics to members of out-groups based on in-group belonging.

Homogenization of in-group behavior

Members of an in-group perceive themselves as more similar, strengthening their group connection.

Communication Accommodation Theory

An explanation of how people adjust their communication to others.

Convergence

Adapting speech to be more like the interlocutor to gain approval or increase social cohesion.

Divergence

Emphasizing speech differences from the interlocutor to gain approval or increase social cohesion.

Social Identity Theory

A theory that focuses on a person's knowledge of belonging to a social category.

Self-Categorization

Seeing oneself as a member of a social group, e.g., 'I am a student'.

Identity Theory

Focuses on a person’s categorization of the self as an occupant of a role.

Depersonalization

A cognitive process where an individual perceives themselves as interchangeable with in-group members.

Collective Action

Unified behavior and action that transcends individual interests, facilitated by depersonalization.

Organic ties

Shared group identities or characteristics among individuals.

Mechanical ties

Clearly defined and distinct roles within structured societies.

National Identity

A specific form of group identity uniquely tied to a political community.

Assimilation

State encouragement for minorities to abandon their cultural markers and adopt the dominant culture.

Domination (Segregation)

Policies that segregate minorities based on perceived cultural inferiority.

Multiculturalism

Recognizing multiple identities as compatible with national citizenship.

Ethnic Minorities

Numerically inferior groups to the majority population, often politically non-dominant.

Groupism

The notion that society is partitioned into discrete, bounded, and essentializing ethnic categories.

Methodological Nationalism

The ideological orientation that views social processes as contained within individual nation-states.

Global Power Networks

Interlinkages of institutions and relations that affect migration and social processes across nation-states.