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Solidarity through shared disadvantage: Highlighting shared experiences of discrimination improves relations between
Clarissa I Cortland1, Maureen A Craig2, Jenessa R Shapiro1
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 6, 2017
Summary
Highlighting shared discrimination experiences can improve relations between disadvantaged groups, even without shared identity. This strategy fosters intergroup harmony and policy support among minority groups facing prejudice.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Intergroup Relations Research
- Sociology
Background:
- Traditional intergroup relations research often overlooks dynamics between disadvantaged groups.
- Existing work shows shared identity strengthens positive relations, while lack of shared identity can foster negativity between minority groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if shared experiences of discrimination can improve relations between disadvantaged groups lacking shared identity dimensions.
- To explore methods for leveraging discrimination experiences to foster positive intraminority intergroup relations.
Main Methods:
- Five experiments were conducted involving four distinct disadvantaged groups.
- Methods included highlighting blatant and subtle shared discrimination experiences.
- One experiment induced a similarity-seeking mindset within the context of ingroup discrimination.
Main Results:
- Connecting to shared discrimination experiences, directly or indirectly, improved outgroup policy support.
- Highlighting shared discrimination reduced intergroup bias among disadvantaged groups.
- Findings were consistent across various methods of emphasizing shared discriminatory experiences.
Conclusions:
- Shared experiences of discrimination serve as a powerful tool to improve intergroup relations among stigmatized populations.
- Interventions focusing on common discrimination can bridge divides between groups with different social identities.
- This research offers practical implications for enhancing solidarity and reducing prejudice within and between minority groups.
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