Final answer:
The statement that social identity is a comparative process involving categorical thinking is true. Hence the correct option is (A).
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that social identity is a comparative process, and that comparison begins with categorical thinking is true. The process of identifying ourselves within a social context typically involves comparing ourselves to others, defining what group or category we belong to. Categories can be based on various attributes such as nationality, religion, social class, and so on.
In a sociological context, this is essential for the development of an individual's sense of 'self,' as theorized by sociologists such as George Herbert Mead. Moreover, categorization serves as a tool used by societies to organize people and to assert certain types of political power. It facilitates the collective understanding within a culture or society about what is considered to be normative or deviant behavior.
Our sense of identity is shaped by the many different experiences we encounter and the various groups to which we are associated or self-identify. The idea of 'the other' or 'the generalized other' is crucial to understanding how we form our sense of identity, as it helps in defining ourselves in relation to society's expectations and norms. It is through this categorization and comparison that we construct our social identities, which are inherently fluid and subject to continuous change and influence.