Selfcategorization

Self-categorization theory (SCT) is a framework in social psychology that explains how people organize their self-concepts around group memberships and how these self-categorizations shape thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It emphasizes that self-perception can shift along a continuum from identifying as an individual to identifying with a social group and, at times, with a superordinate category that encompasses multiple groups. The salience of a particular category in a given situation determines which level of self-definition is used, and depersonalization occurs when individuals see themselves as interchangeable representatives of the group rather than as unique persons.

A central idea in SCT is that groups have prototypes—typicalized norms and behaviors that define what it means to be a member of that group. Prototypical individuals are perceived as embodying the group and often exert influence on others’ behavior through normative expectations. This prototype-based perception drives in-group favoritism, conformity to group norms, and differential treatment of in-group versus out-group members. SCT also helps explain phenomena such as crowd behavior, collective action, and political mobilization, where shifting salience toward a group category can elevate group-based motives over personal concerns.

Origins of SCT lie in the work of John Turner and colleagues in the 1980s as an extension of Social Identity Theory. It highlights cognitive representations and situational factors in intergroup relations, offering a micro-level account of how group identities shape action. Critics note challenges in distinguishing SCT from closely related theories and in operationalizing depersonalization across contexts.