Social categorization as a mental shortcut can be relatively simple, and it can be harmful if individuals do not recognize its potential effects. How can individuals most effectively mitigate the potential effects of social categorization? Support your reasoning.
Social categorization naturally differentiates among multiple groups and types of people in society. It is a mechanism used to define the unique qualities of a particular group. Categorization itself provides important insight into a broad range of information that builds upon class or status according to criteria of the group such as, age, race, wealth, faith, education and variety of associations (Rhoades, 2103).
For example, a social class of seniors may be categorized by age 65, retirement status, limited activities and in the state of Florida, considered snow-birds, because they travel North in the summer and return to Florida in the winter. On-the-other-hand, the millienials are young people between the ages of 18-36 and according to Pew Research. Millennials are not only young, but active, desire employment, free college education. They are polar opposite in classification of seniors. This is the group that has increased the size of voters in the 2016 race for president. They both share 31% of the voting eligible population (Pewresearch.org).
Research studies evaluated children's perspectives in social characterization to understand whether they processed people into categories as a natural kinds guide. The study's results showed children do not naturally associate categorization in this way, but are aware of race by preschool ( Rhoades, 2013). Categorizations can produce false perceptions that have binding effects on individuals that lead to negative psychological phenomena causing stereotyping or prejudices.
References
Pewresearch.org
Rhodes, M. (2013). How Two Intuitive Theories Shape the Development of Social Categorization. Child Development Perspectives, 7(1), 12-16. doi:10.1111/cdep.12007