Factors Determining Self-Categorization Essay Example for Free

Factors Determining Self-Categorization Essay This current outline is well organized and to the point, however, it may be so to the point, as to leave the research questions only partially answered. An introduction of the questions that are to be answered, along with information that can be gleaned from the readings may be helpful. Adding a literature review section or, at the very least, a bibliography would help to show an audience where the information was gathered and show more credibility. The five categories already in place in the outline, (definition, factors determining self categorization, creation of discrimination and intergroup conflicts, case study, and measures to reduce discrimination) are perfectly ordered to flow in a presentation and need no changes, except minor grammatical alterations. â€Å"Definition† should be changed to â€Å"Definitions† and â€Å"Case Study† should be changed to â€Å"Case Studies†, since there are several in each of the two categories. There are other minor changes that need to be made, as well, to be grammatically correct throughout. In addition, â€Å"Definitions† and â€Å"Case Studies† both need expansion in their sub-categories, as the case studies only give an idea of the group being studied but no further information. In the â€Å"Factors determining self-categorization† category, the three factors are very vague and need more concrete information and/or examples. Since the presentation requires an in-depth analysis of self-categorization factors, this section should be more comprehensive. It would be helpful to look at a textbook chapter and see how each chapter is summarized for study, the outline should be this inclusive and be easily understood by an audience member that may have no knowledge of the subject matter. The second most important area of this presentation is whether an identity leads to discriminatory behavior and intergroup conflicts. Looking at both the individual level and the social level is a wise idea and helps to educate the audience that this is a socio-psychological issue. However, an introduction that states that these processes of identity and conflict are both psychological and sociological would help this section flow more easily and confusion over complex theories could be avoided. Also, in both the â€Å"Creation of discrimination and intergroup conflicts† and â€Å"Measures to reduce discrimination† categories, new terms and theories are introduced. These terms should all either be better explained, added as part of the definitions section, or put into the introduction that is absent from this outline. The introduction could simply give a statement of purpose, showing the audience that the two major questions will be answered (those being what factors determine self-categorization and whether an identity leads to discriminatory behavior and intergroup conflicts). The theories and terms that will be used to answer the questions should be stated initially to avoid the abrupt and incomplete definitions that exist. It is also good to look at these questions as research questions with secondary data analysis used to come to conclusions. This is why a literature review or bibliography (with citations throughout the outline) would be very beneficial. The articles below in this reference section are wonderful to use and direct citations from their analyses would help to show that the research questions can and have been answered in different ways. The presentation requires an in depth analysis and correct staging of the compiled information. The outline, therefore, not only helps the audience understand the presentation’s purpose, but also helps the presenters to easily and readily disseminate all their hard work and information. References Brown, Rupert. â€Å"Intergroup Relations† Reynolds, K. J. Turner, J. C. (2001). â€Å"Prejudice as a Group Process: The Role of Social Identity† in M. Augustinos K. J. Reynolds (eds). Understanding Prejudice, Racism, and Social Conflict. London: Sage. pp 159-178.