social category

USAGE SUMMARY

"social category" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people who share certain characteristics or experiences. For example, "Gender is an important social category used to organize people's lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's an objective social category, used as a framework to bring unity within a group.

The New Yorker

Spokes, A. C. & Spelke, E. S. Children's Expectations and Understanding of Kinship as a Social Category.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Baron AS, Dunham Y, Banaji MR, Carey S. Constraints on the acquisition of social category concepts.

Harvard University

The paper explores widespread assumptions about the social category of older people and the meaning of technologies for them.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

An examination of these responses reveals meaningful differences and patterns in the interpretation of this social category.

Poetics

Half of Aldi's customers are now in the ABC1 social category - 17% up on a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

A mountain of social science research is confirming the resilience of class as a decisive social category in Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it turns out, there is another social category for whom stereotypes of math ability applies: gender.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The emphasis is on teamwork and socialization of children, from different social categories, through play, songs, movements, socializing.

UNICEF

Social categories dissolve, becoming interchangeable, like outfits.

The New York Times - Arts

They're often influenced by stereotypes and social categories.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about social dynamics, clearly define the "social category" you are discussing to avoid ambiguity and ensure your audience understands the basis for categorization.

Common error

Avoid attributing universal characteristics to all members of a "social category". Recognize and acknowledge the diversity within groups to prevent perpetuating stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social category" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it classifying and describing societal groupings. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "social category" is a versatile and widely used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and the numerous examples provided. Its primary function is to classify and analyze groups of people based on shared characteristics, serving as a foundation for understanding social dynamics. While grammatically correct and broadly applicable, it's crucial to avoid overgeneralization and acknowledge the diversity within each category. As Ludwig AI states, the term is usable in written English and you can use it when referring to a group of people who share certain characteristics or experiences. The phrase sees frequent use in academic, scientific, and news contexts, reflecting its importance in scholarly analysis and public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social group

Broader term referring to any collection of individuals with shared characteristics or interactions.

identity group

Emphasizes the shared sense of identity and belonging among members of the group.

demographic group

Focuses specifically on groups defined by demographic characteristics like age, gender, or income.

cultural group

Highlights shared cultural norms, values, and practices within the group.

population segment

Refers to a specific portion of a larger population, often used in statistical or marketing contexts.

social class

Specifically refers to groups defined by socioeconomic status and related factors.

community group

Focuses on groups based on geographical location or shared interests.

classification of people

A general phrase for grouping people based on any criteria.

category of individuals

Similar to classification of people, but slightly more formal.

social stratum

Refers to a hierarchical level within a society, often based on wealth or status.

FAQs

How is a "social category" different from a social group?

A "social category" is a broader classification based on shared attributes, while a social group involves interaction and a sense of belonging. You can be part of a social category without necessarily being part of a social group.

What are some examples of "social categories"?

Examples include categories based on age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, or sexual orientation. These classifications are used to understand social patterns and inequalities.

Is it always accurate to assign people to a "social category"?

Assigning people to a "social category" can be useful for analysis, but it's crucial to recognize that individuals may belong to multiple categories and that these categories are social constructs, not absolute truths. Also, be cautious about "stereotyping".

What factors determine a person's "social category"?

A person's "social category" can be determined by a range of factors, including physical characteristics, cultural background, economic status, and self-identification. These factors interact in complex ways to shape social identities and experiences.