Final answer:
Categorization is the first step in social identity theory where we assign people, including ourselves, into various social categories to understand our social environment. The correct answer to the question is a)
Step-by-step explanation:
According to social identity theory, the first step in the process we used to locate ourselves and others in a social environment is called categorization. This theory suggests that we categorize people, including ourselves, in order to understand the social environment. We organize the social environment by grouping people into categories such as nationality, age, gender, etc., and these categories subsequently inform our self-concept and behavior within the social context.
Identification is the process by which we associate ourselves with certain groups (in-groups), and it follows categorization. Comparison, another step in the process, is when we compare our in-groups against out-groups to boost self-esteem. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is a) Categorization.