Social categorization is a normal, inevitable mental process underlying prejudice

Evidence

Although ingroup–outgroup distinctions had been previously recognized as a source of bias (Sumner, 1906), Allport focused on the normality and inevitability of categorizing social groups. Allport noted, “The human mind must think with the aid of categories… . Once formed, categories are the basis for normal prejudgment. We cannot possibly avoid this process. Orderly living depends upon it” (p. 20). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 107

Allport emphasized the importance of social categorization in prejudice in a manner that was unprecedented in his day. Although ingroup-outgroup distinctions had been previously recognized as a source of bias (Sumner, 1906), Allport focused on the normality and inevitability of categorizing social groups. Allport noted, “The human mind must think with the aid of categories… . Once formed, categories are the basis for normal prejudgment. We cannot possibly avoid this process. Orderly living depends upon it” (p. 20). The role of social categorization is now widely acknowledged as a fundamental process in the development and maintenance of prejudice in such diverse approaches as Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), social cognition (Hamilton & Trolier, 1986), and Self-Categorization Theory (Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 107

Allport provided a unique insight into the psychology of prejudice – how fundamental and adaptive cognitive and motivational processes can often contribute to the development and maintenance of prejudice. One of the most basic processes is social categorization. Allport (1954/1979) wrote: “The human mind must think with the aid of categories… . Categories are the basis for normal prejudgment. We cannot possibly avoid this process” (p. 20). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 533

Allport noted, “The human mind must think with the aid of categories… . Once formed, categories are the basis for normal prejudgment. We cannot possibly avoid this process. Orderly living depends upon it” (p. 20). The role of social categorization is now widely acknowledged as a fundamental process in the development and maintenance of prejudice in such diverse approaches as Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), social cognition (Hamilton & Trolier, 1986), and Self-Categorization Theory (Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 107

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to social categorization theory development in social psychology, and to the mundane-vs-pathological prejudice distinction that recurs through the book.
• DEFINE: Establishes Allport’s core contrual of categorization as unavoidable ‘normal prejudgment’ — the conceptual seed for the whole cognitive approach to prejudice.
• corroborated: 5 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 107; John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 107; John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 533