Självkategoriseringsteorin

Självkategoriseringsteorin, often abbreviated SCT, is a social psychological theory that explains how people categorize themselves and others into social groups. Developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, it posits that this process of categorization is a fundamental aspect of social cognition and plays a crucial role in shaping self-identity and intergroup relations.

The theory suggests that individuals have a need to belong to groups and that this need is met by categorizing themselves into in-groups (groups to which one belongs) and out-groups (groups to which one does not belong). This categorization is not merely descriptive but also evaluative, leading to a concept known as social identity. Social identity refers to the part of an individual's self-concept that derives from their knowledge of membership in one or more social groups, together with the value and emotional significance attached to that membership.

A core tenet of SCT is that once individuals have categorized themselves, they tend to favor their in-group and discriminate against out-groups. This in-group favoritism and out-group derogation helps to maintain a positive social identity. The theory also highlights the concept of social comparison, where individuals compare their in-group with relevant out-groups to enhance their self-esteem. The perceived differences and the evaluative nature of these comparisons contribute to the formation of stereotypes and prejudice. SCT has been influential in understanding phenomena such as discrimination, prejudice, and intergroup conflict.