Identity Approaches PDF

Identity-Blind Approach ¡ Everyone is an individual first. We should focus on individual differences and/or similarities Identity-Conscious Approach ¡ Everyone has a different social identity, which is valuable and affects their lived experience Colorblindness: minimizes the use and significan...

Identity-Blind Approach ¡ Everyone is an individual first. We should focus on individual differences and/or similarities Identity-Conscious Approach ¡ Everyone has a different social identity, which is valuable and affects their lived experience Colorblindness: minimizes the use and significance of 'racial' group membership and suggests that race should not and does not matter. Multiculturalism: 'racial' group membership matters and should be acknowledged, respected, and even valued. Advantages identity blind perspective: Diminishes open conflict Minimizes discomfort Disadvantages identity blind perspective: Assumes equal starting position Assumes unequal treatment in the past Ignores importance of privilege Ignores ethnic/socio-economic/gender differences Fails to capitalize on advantages of diversity Colorblindness: Has appeal due to its ego-protective features. Reduces sensitivity to racism. Can undermine interracial interactions. Can result in perceptions of and expectations for people of color that subvert institutional diversity efforts. Multiculturalism: has appeal across different groups, but ethnic and racial minorities tend to endorse it more than do majority groups. can both decrease and increase stereotyping but it decreases prejudice creates more positive outcomes but can backfire Social identity contingencies The range of vulnerabilities and opportunities a person expects to face based on the settings' response to one or more of the person's social identities. May be physical, ideological, and social. Affirmative Action approaches Extra measures sometimes necessary, e.g.: To reach different social networks To counteract ambivalence Because similar procedures have different effects Because difficult to avoid stereotypes Really 'active action' Goal is elimination of unequal opportunities