SOCIAL CATEGORIZATION

Abstract

Social categorization is the process by which individuals classify themselves and others into different social groups based on common characteristics such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, occupation or nationality. This categorization can affect attitudes and behavior toward individuals or groups and it often plays an important role in social interactions and dynamics. Many factors influence the social stratification of society. These factors are nothing but conditions that encourage people to discriminate against each other. Even today, remnants of the old caste system still remain in the minds of our people. There still people who think they belong to such clans as “Kipchak”, “Mangit”, or “Kungirot” claiming the titles of “Khoja”, “Eshan”, or “Tora”. Since the beginning society, there has been stratification.  During the period of natural stratification, not only tribes, but also the society of countries that have risen in the centers of civilization, such as the Middle East, Egypt, Southern Europe, India and China are stratified according to this principles.