Being one of us: we-identities and self-categorization theory

Abstract One way to theorize about we-identities—the identities that individual subjects have as ‘one of us’—is in terms the uniformity, interchangeability, and prototypicality group members. The social-psychological theory self-categorization epitomizes this approach, which has strongly influenced contemporary phenomenological research on we. This paper argues approach one important largely overlooked limitation: we-identities tied close personal relationships—exemplified by long-term friendships romantic partnerships—are based patterns interpersonal interaction integration through individuals tend grasp their non-substitutability complementarity. limitation suggests another is needed tackle characteristic relationships. I outline such an combining resources from classical phenomenology ongoing socially extended mind.