Perceiving the world through group-colored glasses: Effects of self-categorization and group identification on attention and information processing

When an individual is categorized as a member of a group, the individual's self-schema as a member of that group becomes his or her frame for perceiving the world. This research investigates how social self-categorization changes what information draws the individual's attention as well as how that information is appraised. I predicted that when individuals were categorized as members of groups, their attention would be drawn to group-relevant information in the environment, at least to the extent that those groups were meaningful self-categorizations. I also predicted that such an attentional bias would impact the way individuals appraised and emotionally responded to intergroup events. Three studies investigated the impact of self-categorization and group identification on attention and appraisal processes. Study 1 investigated the impact of self-categorization and group identification on participants' sensitivity to group-relevant words. Study 2 investigated the impact of self-categorization and group identification on the extent to which participants' attention was drawn to group-related images over and above other information in the environment. Study 3 investigated the impact of self-categorization and group identification on participants' memory for, appraisals of, and emotional responses to group-relevant information. Results suggest that people's attention is directed toward group relevant information when they are categorized as group members, or to the extent that they identify with the group. Social categorization and group identification also impact the way people appraise and respond to group-relevant information.