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The Divestiture of Social Conditions: A Critical Critique of Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory through a Post-Structural Lens
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Divestiture of Social Conditions
Running Head: THE DIVESTITURE OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The Divestiture of Social Conditions:
A Critical Critique of Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory through a Post-
Structural Lens
Student Paper
Abstract:
In this essay, I investigate the theoretical ground of Social Identity Theory (SIT) and
Self-Categorization Theory (SCT). On their surfaces, these two interlocking theories seem to provide a very dynamic approach to the diverse manner in which human beings actively produce social identities. Through the assumption of categorical attributes, human beings work to uncover an identity that procures a descriptive, prescriptive and evaluative mode of being. However, as one reads closer, it becomes evident that SIT/SCT’s functionalist trajectory and ontologically restrictive approach to human identity foreclose the possibility of being dynamic at all, particularly in relation to their own basic assumptions. I contend that approaching identity and identification through these theories actually helps to produce and reproduce restrictive categorizations whose conditions SIT/SCT cannot adequately account for. After establishing the basic structure of these theories, I raise critical critiques and questions which will help illuminate why having such a perspective on identity is seriously problematic and, in my mind, dangerous. Finally, I discuss a post-structuralist approach to these problems through the work of Judith Butler. For Butler, the salience of particular normative categorizations can be seen as the product of prior power relationships that are historically embedded and reproduced through discursive acts. By approaching the problem in this manner, a robust sense of the social/historical nature of identity categorizations can be had. This stands in stark contrast to SIT/SCT’s deterministic biological/ontological approach which renders powerless social explanations, and more importantly social solutions to the problems inherent in the production of identities.
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Divestiture of Social Conditions
Running Head: THE DIVESTITURE OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The Divestiture of Social Conditions:
A Critical Critique of Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory through a Post-
Structural Lens
Student Paper
Abstract:
In this essay, I investigate the theoretical ground of Social Identity Theory (SIT) and
Self-Categorization Theory (SCT). On their surfaces, these two interlocking theories seem to
provide a very dynamic approach to the diverse manner in which human beings actively produce
social identities. Through the assumption of categorical attributes, human beings work to
uncover an identity that procures a descriptive, prescriptive and evaluative mode of being.
However, as one reads closer, it becomes evident that SIT/SCT’s functionalist trajectory and
ontologically restrictive approach to human identity foreclose the possibility of being dynamic at
all, particularly in relation to their own basic assumptions. I contend that approaching identity
and identification through these theories actually helps to produce and reproduce restrictive
categorizations whose conditions SIT/SCT cannot adequately account for. After establishing the
basic structure of these theories, I raise critical critiques and questions which will help illuminate
why having such a perspective on identity is seriously problematic and, in my mind, dangerous.
Finally, I discuss a post-structuralist approach to these problems through the work of Judith
Butler. For Butler, the salience of particular normative categorizations can be seen as the
product of prior power relationships that are historically embedded and reproduced through
discursive acts. By approaching the problem in this manner, a robust sense of the
social/historical nature of identity categorizations can be had. This stands in stark contrast to
SIT/SCT’s deterministic biological/ontological approach which renders powerless social
explanations, and more importantly social solutions to the problems inherent in the production of
identities.
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