How Disadvantaged Groups Members Position Themselves: When They Might Appear to Work Against an Improvement in Status for Their Own Group

Abstract

In this chapter, we focus on the motives of disadvantaged group members. Positioning theory, with its emphasis on social constructivism, and the fluidity with which an interaction can involve shifting motivations and redefined meanings, represents an interesting theoretical perspective on social interaction that challenges the fundamental assumptions of intergroup relations. We focus our attention on a number of pivotal and frequently occurring positions that are taken by members of a disadvantaged group. Our selective analysis is designed to provide the reader with a more in depth and focused analysis of some crucial, counter-intuitive intergroup positions. As well, our analysis is designed to be generalizeable to a wide variety of intergroup contexts, but we will use as examples those groups with whom we have had research and applied experience: Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and women. We begin with a review of the positionings that are implied in current theory and research on the social psychology of intergroup relations. We then explore a series of positionings that, on the surface, might appear to be counter productive from the point of view of the motivations that are presumed to guide the behavior of members of society's more disadvantaged groups. Our focus on positioning theory will hopefully illuminate how even apparently counterproductive positions are designed to improve conditions for their group. Understanding these different positions may well offer insights into strategies for reducing intergroup conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)