Recent research suggests that categorization is a complex, fluid process and is shaped not only by t ...

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Recent research suggests that categorization is a complex, fluid process and is shaped not only by the visible features (e.g., skin color, waist-to-hip ratio) but also by labels and higher-order social cognitive processes such as stereotypes or ideological attitudes (e.g., Benson and Volpe, 2022).  Here is what I would like for you to reflect on. In recent years, California has included a non-binary option in some official documents including our driver’s licenses. In parallel, CA legislature passed assembly bill (953) Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA). RIPA is a practice that mandates all law enforcement agencies “in the state to collect perceived demographic and other detailed data regarding pedestrian and traffic stops”. Given what you know about categorization, what are some challenges and opportunities this practice (RIPA) may pose? In writing your reflections, be sure to link your thoughts to the readings. You may wish to bring up your own experiences, discuss lingering questions, unresolved controversies, interesting implications, contradictions, or claims that you do not believe.