Categorical thinking actively serves the perceiver’s self-interest, not just accuracy

Evidence

A noteworthy aspect of Allport’s cognitive approach of intergroup perceptions is the view that categorical thinking is often directed at serving selfinterests. This form of reasoning, which Allport called “autistic thinking,” is at the heart of various recent lines of work (Leyens, Yzerbyt, & Schadron, 1992, 1994) and is nicely illustrated in the research conducted by Kunda and her colleagues on “motivated reasoning with stereotypes” (Kunda & Spencer, 2003). When confronted with a member of a stigmatized category (e.g., an Asian doctor), people may choose to appraise this target using one among several categorical bases (e.g., doctor or Asian). The selection of a particular category depends upon the way the interaction unfolds. If the target somehow frustrates the well-being of the perceiver or counters self-enhancement goals, the more derogatory category will impose itself whereas the more flattering category will be inhibited. Of importance too is the fact that, although stereotypes may well be activated at early stages of an interaction, activation is not always found to last very long (Kunda, Davies, Adams, & Spencer, 2002). Chances are then that stereotypes will not be applied to a target at a later stage of the interaction unless some event (e.g., the emergence of a disagreement) triggers a need for people to fall back on their a priori views. That perceivers switch back and forth to stereotypes as a function of their relevance for the task at hand is consistent with the view that stereotypes are used when they prove useful in guiding perceivers’ behavior. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1171

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces Allport’s term ‘autistic thinking’ for self-serving categorical reasoning, and motivates why stereotype activation is flexible.
• XREF: Connects to motivated reasoning and self-serving cognition literature; the flexible category-selection idea also parallel the flexible tool use ideas elsewhere in this reader’s collection on reputational institutions. — connects to: Positivism’s calculative thought is itself built on a nature-control interest