Recategorization succeeds only if the superordinate category is perceived as distinctive

Evidence

Although recategorization of an in-group and an out-group as part of a superordinate group may result from naturally occurring circumstances, for example, when nations band together to fight a common enemy, recategorization may also occur from deliberate attempts to encourage in-group and out-group members to view themselves as part of a larger category. In organizational contexts, this might occur when company leaders explicitly encourage employees within the company to think of themselves simply as company employees and not as members of specific teams or units. Although there may be pragmatic reasons for selecting particular superordinate identities over others, the success of recategorization attempts may depend critically on how inclusive the superordinate category is perceived to be within the particular social context. Employees who see their organization as being distinctive relative to comparable organizations should have an easier time identifying with the superordinate organization. Thus, when possible, superordinate identities should be selected with an eye toward how well that identity can meet group members’ needs for both inclusion and differentiation. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 736

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Data abstractions strip narrative context to enable unlimited recategorization — Nick Couldry & Ulises A. Mejias, The Costs of Connection: How Data Is…, 448; Successful métissage dissolves the very category once realized