Abstract

The linguistic category model (LCM) has provided a key impulse to the study of language in social psychology. In the present paper we review the studies that have employed this model as methodological and conceptual tool to analyse the role of language in social-psychological processes. To this aim, we propose an organisation of these studies on the base of intraindividual, interpersonal and intergroup levels. We then show that, transversely to these levels, linguistic categories could be analysed as devises strategically employed to create a representation of reality functional to specific communicative goals. Finally, the potential of the LCM for the study of the interface between cognition, motivation and behaviour is discussed.