A denomination’s dealings with difference : considering recategorization and mutual intergroup differentiation in the context of The United Church of Canada

Abstract

This thesis, in a novel interdisciplinary fashion, examines The United Church of Canada (UCC) from a social-psychological framework of Social Identity Theory and Categorization. Focusing on four broad ingroup-outgroup case studies—ecumenical, interfaith, overseas mission and First Nations-UCC relations—this study surveys and subsequently analyzes the UCC’s national discourse and initiatives with respect to two specific, well-supported strategies for reducing intergroup conflict: Recategorization and Mutual Intergroup Differentiation. Looking at the denomination’s historical development through the lens of these social-psychological models not only highlights a normative pattern of moving from initial positions of ingroup bias to recategorized and mutually differentiated partnerships, but also proposes new understandings of past, present, and possible future issues relevant to the UCC.