Perceivers can judge a group’s unity either by shared traits or by shared goals

Evidence

Specifically, the essence theory of entitativity emphasizes the general attributes (traits, stereotypes) characterizing a group, focuses on similarity and consistency among group members in their attributes and behaviors, highlights clear intergroup distinctions in these regards, and views the group as being consistent across time. In contrast, the agency theory of entitativity is process oriented, emphasizing a group’s goals; expects heterogeneity among group members; considers the group’s relations with (rather than similarities or differences with) outgroups; and expects dynamic change in the group over time. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 228

Categorization

• XREF: This essence-versus-agency distinction parallels the categorical-versus-dynamic construal distinction and connects to how a perceiver’s framing shapes stereotype application — relevant to the reader’s Allport thread on how cognitive shortcuts differentiate group perception. — connects to: Status hierarchies form naturally whenever groups pursue shared goals — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 57
• DEFINE: Defines the two competing theories of entitativity: essence (trait-similarity based) versus agency (goal-process based).
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 228