Sociocentric Thinking: Impediments to Intellectual Development

Our purpose: To better understand our sociocentric nature. To begin to see its pervasiveness in human life. To consider some of the important implications of this human tendency, including implications for teaching and learning.

Key Questions What is sociocentricity? How does sociocentric thought impede human rationality and keep us from developing as reasonable persons? How can we begin to emancipate our minds from sociocentric forces and live as persons of free will? How can we help our students gain command of their sociocentric nature?

Sociocentric thought is the native human tendency to see the world from a narrow and biased group-centered perspective, to operate within the world through subjective and partial group beliefs, group influences, group rules, group think, group interests. Sociocentric Thought is intricately connected with egocentric thought, the native tendency to see the world from a narrow, self-centered perspective.

Though the mind is by nature egocentric and sociocentric, it also has the capacity to reason rationally and reasonably. To develop as rational persons, we must take command of our native egocentric and sociocentric natures.

Beginning at a very young age humans begin to internalize the mores and folkways of the groups to which they belong. They begin “fitting in” to groups, from no choice of their own, but out of instinct and in order to survive. Due to an innate need to be accepted and esteemed by others, to be validated, humans operate largely as members of various groups through the whole of their lives.

At the same time, humans do not naturally develop skills of group critique – the ability to determine group practices that make sense to accept, those that need modification, and those that should be wholeheartedly rejected. Due to the credulity of the uncultivated mind, from a very young age, humans largely uncritically accept the beliefs of family, school, religion, peers, government, clubs and organizations, indeed any group in which they become members.

And then they largely defend and build on those views they have uncritically accepted. Most of these group-held beliefs lie at the unconscious level of thought, not explicitly recognized by the mind, nevertheless guiding much of our behavior.

Native sociocentric thought is at the root of many human problems and countless injustices. Only when each of us takes command of this hidden part of our nature, can we begin to extricate ourselves from dogmatic and dangerous group ideologies, from group rules, taboos and conventions arbitrarily formed and strictly imposed, from unwarranted group righteousness that leads to untold pain and suffering, from group agendas and actions that undermine the cultivation of critical societies.

The Human Animal as the Sociocentric Animal

Sociocentric Thinking is Linked with Egocentric Thinking Consider these definitions: Human egocentrism, the natural human tendency “to view everything within the world in relationship to oneself, to be self-centered” (Webster’s New World Dictionary); and Human sociocentrism, most simply conceptualized as group egocentricity. To define sociocentricity, we might take Webster’s definition of egocentricity (above), substituting group for self. Thus, sociocentric thinking is the natural human tendency to view everything within the world in relationship to one’s group, to be group-centered.

Just as all humans are egocentric by nature, we are sociocentric as well. Sociocentric thinking is egocentric thinking raised to the level of the group. And it can be even more destructive than egocentric thinking, since it carries with it the sanction of a social group.

Note the following parallels for egocentric and sociocentric patterns of thought:

Egocentric standard: “It’s true because I believe it.” Related sociocentric standard: “It’s true because we believe it.” Egocentric standard: “It’s true because I want to believe it.” Related sociocentric standard: “It’s true because we want to believe it.” Egocentric standard: “It’s true because it’s in my vested interest to believe it.” Related sociocentric standard: “It’s true because it’s in our vested interest to believe it.” Egocentric standard: “It’s true because I have always believed it.” Related sociocentric standard: “It’s true because we have always believed it.”

What do all human groups have in common?

In every human group, there are three existing realities: Things you must do (requirements). Things you cannot do (taboos). Things you are permitted to do but are not required to do. This conception is the heart of sociological thinking.

Consider your country as “group,” for example. Working in groups, make a list of the following: Things you must do (requirements) in your country. Things you cannot do (taboos) in your country. Things you are permitted to do but are not required to do.

Make a list of the groups you belong to (or have belonged to in the past). Then choose the group you think has influenced you the most in your beliefs, values, and behavior. Complete the following statements: The group that has influenced me the most is probably . . . This group’s main function or agenda is . . Comment on as many of the following variables as you can identify with, with respect to the group you have chosen to analyze.

To what extent does your membership in this group involve: a name that defines who and what they are; a way of talking; a set of friends and enemies; group rituals in which you must participate; expected behaviors involving fellow members; expected behaviors when around the “enemies” of the group; a hierarchy of power within the group; a way of dressing and speaking; social requirements to which you must conform; a set of taboos—forbidden acts, whose violation is punished.

One of the key “requirements” of this group is . . . One of the key “taboos” (what I am forbidden to do) is . . . A group that my group would look down upon is . . We think of this group as beneath us because . . .

Social Stratification as a Manifestation of Sociocentric Thought

Sociocentric systems are used in complex societies to justify differential treatment and injustices within a society, nation, or culture. This feature of complex social systems has been documented by sociologists who have specialized in the phenomenon of social stratification. As virtually all modern societies today are complex, the following characteristics of stratification presumably can be found in all of them.

According to Plotnicov and Tuden (1970)… Every modern society has social groups that are ranked hierarchically, maintain relatively permanent positions in the hierarchy, have differential control of the sources of power, primarily economic and political, are separated by cultural and invidious distinctions that also serve to maintain the social distances between the groups, and are articulated by an overarching ideology which provides a rationale for the established hierarchical arrangements. (pp. 4–5).

Given this phenomenon, we should be able to identify, for any given group in our society, where approximately it stands in the hierarchy of power, what the sources of power and control are, how the distinctions that indicate status are formulated, how social distances are maintained between the groups, and the overarching ideology that provides the rationale for the way things are.

Try to construct a hierarchy of the social groups within the culture with which you are most knowledgeable.

First identify the groups with the most power and prestige. What characteristics do these groups have? Then identify the groups with less and less power until you reach the groups with the least amount of power. How do the groups with the most power keep their power? To what extent is it possible for groups with the least power to increase their power? To what extent do they seem to accept their limited power? To the extent that they accept their limited power, why do you think they do?

What are some important implications of social stratification What are some important implications of social stratification? How does it stand in the way of human emancipation? How does it affect our students’ thinking and their lives?

Identifying Some of Your Sociocentric Beliefs… Identify at least one belief your “group” holds in each of the categories.  “It’s true because we believe it.”_______________ ___________________________________________ “It’s true because we want to believe it.”_________ ___________________________________________   “It’s true because it is in our vested interest to believe it.”________________________________ “It’s true because we have always believed it. _________________________________________

There are two distinct logics of sociocentric thinking, both of which are destructive.

The logic of group interest, of getting the most for the group without regard to the rights and needs of others, of protecting its biased interests, forwarding its partial agendas. This logic informs the point of view from which everyone outside the group is seen and understood and by which everything that happens outside of the group is judged. This leads to the problem of in-group thinking and behavior - everyone outside the group is judged according to the standards of the group; everyone in the group is privileged, everyone outside the group is seen as a potential threat.

The logic of group conformity - defines the intricate inner workings of the group, ensures that everyone coexists in the group in accordance with its customs, conventions, rules, taboos, mores, laws.

Sociocentric Counterfeits of Ethical Reasoning

It is important to understand the barriers to ethical reasoning caused by sociocentric thought

Diagram of 4 concepts

Groups of 3 Ethical Reasoning Guide, pp. 9-14 Silently read each section. Then discuss your understanding of each section. As you work through each section, make a list of beliefs in that “domain” that are considered unethical but are not. Then list beliefs or acts within the domain that are unethical (but considered ethical)

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Child Kidnap Hysteria

Honor Killing Turkey

Two Sociocentric Phenomena Believing that our group is privileged. (and thereby applying a different standard to other groups or people). Indoctrinating members of the group into the beliefs, customs, taboos of the group (and thereby impeding their development and their right to develop as rational persons).

Insights from Piaget Through the numerous studies conducted by Jean Piaget we can glean insights which help us understand sociocentric thought. For instance, in his book, The Moral Judgment of the Child, Piaget outlines three stages of the consciousness of rules, which are as follows (p. 28):

Stage One – the child, being fundamentally egocentric, does not see rules as obligatory, and basically does what feels good. Rules, when followed, are unconsciously received (ages 0-2). State Two – rules are considered sacred and untouchable, emanating from adults and lasting forever (ages 3-10) Stage Three – rules are considered due to mutual consent. The child believes that to be loyal one must “respect” the laws. Laws can be altered if you can enlist general opinion on your side (ages 9-12).

Piaget considers the “collective rule,” the belief that everyone must follow the rules, to be at first external to the child. But over time the child begins to see the rules as freely chosen, a product of mutual consent and an “autonomous conscience.” Thus, in other words, the child uncritically accepts the rules and laws of society, and yet sees them as independently chosen.

This phenomenon is evident in adult thinking as well This phenomenon is evident in adult thinking as well. Though most rules of society are accepted without question, blindly, yet people believe they have come to their beliefs through evidence and reasoning. Though they adhere to societal customs and taboos without benefit of conscious thought, still they see themselves as autonomous thinkers. This manifestation of self-delusion, so pervasive in human thinking, has unlimited negative implications for the quality of life.

In addition to this collective rule phenomenon, which is directly applicable to sociocentric thought, Piaget’s characterizations of the egocentric mind, developed by studying the thinking of children, has significant application, with appropriate translation, to sociocentric thinking. Consider Piaget’s characterizations of the egocentric thinker (1976), and then our formulation of the sociocentric parallel of each phenomenon.

Egocentrism of thought necessarily entails a certain degree of unconsciousness,’ (p. 137) Sociocentric of thought necessarily entails a certain degree of unconsciousness, The egocentric thinker is confident in his own ideas, The sociocentric thinker is confident in the ideas of his group.

The egocentric thinker is naturally The egocentric thinker is naturally...(untroubled) about the reasons and motives which have guided his reasoning process, The sociocentric thinker is naturally untroubled about the reasons and motives which have guided the reasoning of sociocentric thinking The egocentric thinker [seeks] to justify himself in the eyes of others ... only under the pressure of argument and opposition..., The sociocentric thinker [seeks] to justify his group in the eyes of other groups, or people external to the group ... only under the pressure of argument and opposition...,

The egocentric thinker is incapable either by introspection or retrospection of capturing the successive steps. ..[his] mind has taken (pp. 137-138) The sociocentric thinker is incapable, either by introspection or retrospection, of capturing the successive steps . ..[his] group has taken in formulating their beliefs The egocentric thinker suffers from illusions of perspective, (p. 165) The sociocentric thinker suffers from illusions of group perspective

The egocentric thinker is ignorant of his own ego, takes his own point of view to be absolute, and fails to establish...that reciprocity which alone would ensure objectivity (p. 197) The sociocentric thinker is ignorant of his group’s sociocentric nature, takes his group’s point of view to be absolute, and fails to establish...that reciprocity among and between perspectives which alone would ensure objectivity The egocentric thinker [uses] thought ... at the service of personal desire. The sociocentric thinker uses thought at the service of group desire The egocentric thinker simply believes ... without trying to find the truth (p. 203). The sociocentric thinker simply believes group-fostered ideologies ... without trying to find the truth.

The egocentric thinker assimilates everything he hears to his own point of view. (p. 208) The sociocentric thinker assimilates everything he hears to his group’s point of view. The egocentric thinker does not try to prove whether such and such of his idea does or does not correspond to reality. When the question is put to him, he evades it. It does not interest him, and it is even alien to his whole mental attitude, (p. 247) The sociocentric thinker does not try to prove whether such and such of his group’s ideas does or does not correspond to reality. When the question is put to him, he evades it. It does not interest him, and it is even alien to his whole mental attitude.

In sum, for each characterization of egocentric thought identified by Piaget through careful observation and study, one can find a ready parallel in sociocentric thought which can be easily exemplified in observing the behavior of groups throughout the world, in all areas of human life.

Thinking critically about “condemned” beliefs Write down one belief you have which is largely condemned in your culture, but which you believe is true. I will then collect your anonymous papers and redistribute them to groups for discussion. Discuss and vote on the ideas you think are reasonable. Example: being against slavery in the 19th century, homosexuality in the 19/20th centuries,

Thinking critically about “condemned” beliefs Write down one belief which is commonly accepted in your culture as desirable, but which you disagree with. I will then collect your anonymous papers and redistribute them to groups for discussion. Discuss and vote on the ideas you think are reasonable.

Thinking critically about controversial issues Make a list of controversial issues you think shouldn’t be controversial because there is a correct answer (in your view). Make a list of non-controversial issues that should be controversial (in your view). Give your reasons Middle ages – burning people to death who were “heretics.” Distinguish between subjectively controversial and objectively controversial.