Simultaneous categorization into nested categories produces dueling identities favoring one level

Evidence

This effect is also consistent with other research in nested categorization contexts (e.g., Sidanius, Feshbach, Levin, & Pratto, 1997; Waldzus, Mummendey, Wenzel, & Boettcher, 2004); for example, the more the ethnic minorities in the United States identified with their ethnic group, the less they identified with the United States (Sidanius et al., 1997). Overall, evidence supports the notion that in nested categorization contexts, individuals gravitate to identify more with the subgroup than the superordinate group, and defend the subgroup when the superordinate category is more inclusive. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 683 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

In the context of multiple crossed categories, this general tendency to minimize differences within but maximize differences between categories should be reduced or even eliminated, given that individuals rely on more complex category combinations. Moreover, when multiple categories are salient, individuals are thought to rely less on single in-groups for bolstering self-evaluation and self-esteem 82 • Katharina Schmid and Miles Hewstone (see Vanbeselaere, 1991) or satisfying opposing needs for assimilation and differentiation (Brewer, 1991; see also Leonardelli, Pickett, Joseph, & Hess, Chapter 6, this book; we return to a more detailed description of optimal distinctiveness theory at a later point in this chapter). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 530 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Asking, for example, “How many Americans are Christian?” is very different from asking about the proportion of Christians who are American. Obviously, making such a distinction requires somewhat more cognitive effort on behalf of the individual. It is, thus, perhaps not surprising that researchers have found that various measures of cognitive style positively predict social identity complexity. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 543 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: People gravitate toward subgroup over superordinate identities in nested categories — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 683; Nested categorization contexts involve memberships in categories that sit inside larger superordinate categories — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 671; Crossed categories reduce in-group bias and dependence on single identities — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 530 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• People gravitate toward subgroup over superordinate identities in nested categories #corroborates (0.93) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 683
• Crossed categories reduce in-group bias and dependence on single identities #complicates (0.75) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 530
• Perceiving asymmetric category overlap requires cognitive effort that simple measures lack #complicates (0.72) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 543