Solidarity or Competition? The Role of Ethnic Minorities in Promoting Social Equality

A substantial body of research on intergroup relations has consistently demonstrated the potential of positive contact to reduce prejudice and foster cooperation across groups (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). However, negative intergroup contact has been demonstrated to have a more pronounced effect in reinforcing prejudice and increasing intergroup tensions, frequently overshadowing the benefits of positive interactions (Barlow et al., 2012). , a significant proportion of the research has concentrated on relations between majority and minority groups, thereby creating a substantial gap in knowledge regarding the dynamics between minority groups. Given the growing diversity and the intersectionality of minority experiences, a comprehensive examination of inter-minority relationships is imperative for advancing social equality (Craig & Richeson, 2016). Although positive intergroup contact is frequently linked with enhanced solidarity behaviour, the character of these interactions can diverge, with competitive elements emerging under specific circumstances (Dovidio et al., 2009; Visintin et al., 2016).

This research examines whether intergroup contact, defined as positive and negative interactions between minority groups in a host country, promotes solidarity or reinforces competition. This study examines the experiences and perceptions of South Asian immigrants in the UK and Albanian immigrants in Italy, specifically focusing on how their interactions with African immigrants influence their intentions to work for social equality. Both groups have a long history of immigration in their respective countries and represent significant minority populations that have historically been marginalised and have faced socio-economic challenges in their respective countries. Furthermore, both groups contend with intricate dynamics of integration and prejudice. This makes them suitable for examining the influence of interactions with other minority groups, such as African immigrants, on their motivations to work towards social equality. Moreover, our research examines the role of empathy and salient emotions, such as pro-outgroup anger, in line with the existing literature that demonstrates that anger directed at perceived injustices faced by other groups has been shown to motivate individuals to engage in collective action for social change (Leach et al., 2006).

What Activities Were Undertaken?

We conducted two correlational studies in two different cultural contexts. The first was conducted in the United Kingdom among South Asian immigrants (N=443) while the second was conducted in Italy among Albanian immigrants (N=178). In both, we studied participants’ solidarity intentions towards African immigrants. Results from both studies showed that positive intergroup contact is associated with higher solidarity, while negative experiences with outgroup members weaken solidarity intentions. Both studies found a mediating effect between empathy and pro-outgroup anger. Interestingly, our studies suggest that majority contact experiences might influence inter-minority relationships differently depending on the social norms conveyed.

Contribution to the wider research activities

Our project contributes significantly to the literature on intergroup contact by focusing on the often-neglected area of inter-minority relations. By analysing how different ethnic minorities interact with each other, we highlight the complexities of solidarity and competition in diverse societies. This research entices the theoretical framework on empathy and emotional responses in intergroup contexts, particularly in minority settings. Furthermore, the EASP Research Grant has been instrumental in enabling us to reach these significant findings.

The support provided allowed us to conduct in-depth studies across different cultural contexts, thus offering a broader understanding of how solidarity between minority groups can be fostered or hindered. Our findings have practical implications for social policy and intervention programs promoting social equality. Future research could expand on these findings by exploring intervention strategies that amplify positive contact and mitigate competitive tensions in diverse cultural contexts.

References

Barlow, F. K., Paolini, S., Pedersen, A., Hornsey, M. J., Radke, H. R., Harwood, J., & Sibley, C. G. (2012). "The contact caveat: Negative contact predicts increased prejudice more than positive contact predicts reduced prejudice." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(12), 1629–1643.

Craig, M. A., & Richeson, J. A. (2016). Stigma-based solidarity: Understanding the psychological foundations of conflict and coalition among members of different stigmatised groups. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 25(1), 21–27.

Dovidio, J. F., Gaertner, S. L., & Saguy, T. (2009). Commonality and the complexity of intergroup relations: The concept of positive intergroup contact. Journal of Social Issues, 65(2), 368-391.

Leach, C. W., Iyer, A., & Pedersen, A. (2006). "Anger and guilt about ingroup advantage explain the willingness for political action." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32(9), 1232-1245.

Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2006). A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), 751-783.

Visintin, E. P., Brylka, A., Green, E. G., Mähönen, T. A., & Jasinskaja-Lahti, I. (2016). The dynamics of interminority extended contact: The role of affective and cognitive mediators. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 22(4), 467-478.