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Reactions to Perceived Categorization by others during the Transition to College: Internalization and Self-Verification Processes

Richard D. Ashmore

Rutgers University

The current study examined longitudinal reactions to subjective perceptions of being categorized by others, termed reflected categorization, during the transition to college. Reactions were examined across 85 social categories relevant to the US college culture (e.g. jock, partier, brain). Initial reflected categorization predicted changes over time in self-categorization, suggesting internalization of the social categories ascribed by peers in the new context. Initial self-categorization also predicted changes in reflected categorization, suggesting self-verification of category memberships. Both effects were moderated by category valence and membership importance. Internalization and verification effects were somewhat stronger when these processes entailed acquiring or verifying positive category memberships. Internalization effects were stronger and verification effects were weaker when membership was important to self-definition. The findings suggest that perceived categorizations from others are both cause and consequence of self-categorization during a major life transition, although investment in membership and self-esteem motives partially determine the relative strength of these effects.

Key Words: categorization threat • reflected appraisals • self-categorization • self-verification • social identity

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