“Social Passing” as a Change in one’s Reference Group

1. “Social Passing”as a Change in one’s Reference Group Presented by Tina Quicoli

2. Counter Intuitive Situation “A counter intuitive situation occurs when one encounters an individual of a particular race that does not act in a way that is consistent with the stereotypical behavior that is adopted by their racial group.”

3. Examples • If a black person hangs around white people why are they called white? • Whitewashed – This term is used to refer to ethnic people who act “white”. • An Oreo – refers to a black person who is “white” on the inside.

4. Racial Groups • Historical, religious, political, and economic circumstances form racial groups. • Racial groups are created as a result of the dominant group’s attempt to classify themselves as “insiders” and others as “outsiders”. • This allows for the dominant racial group to maintain their privileged social position. • However, racial groups can also offer individual who have a common experience a sense of community.

5. Racial Groups as Reference Groups • “A reference group is a group whose outlook is used by individual as a frame of reference in the organization of perceptual fields.” • Reference groups arise through the internalization of norms and constitute attitudes and expectations towards behavior. • This is similar to Meads generalized other, which is the organization of the attitudes of the others from which an individual receives a sense of self-consciousness.

6. Outsiders vs. Insiders • Reference groups are hierarchically structured. • Within the US the white male reference group has been elevated to a general societal point of reference. • The white male holds a normative status. • Women and minorities hold an “other” status. • Insider vs. Outsider • Minorities that gain access into white male groups are “outsiders within”.

7. Goffman • Displays of demeanor that are associated with the dominant group in society are valued over others. • If an individual is well demeaned others will give them deference, but deference may be withheld when it is thought that the person does not deserve it. • All individuals want to maintain face in social interactions. • Thus, individuals may adopt forms of demeanor that are socially valued or they may avoid interacting with certain groups of individuals.

8. A Change in Reference Group • The type of demeanor that is preferred in the professional workplace and university system is that which is adopted by white males. • In order to obtain success in male-dominated settings minorities develop tactics. • They can adopt pluralistic or assimilating strategies.

9. Pluralism vs. Assimilation • Minorities may assimilate by changing their reference group and social “pass” as a white male. • Individuals may choose to “pass” as white in order to obtain advantages that are withheld from their in-group. • Others may choose to create solidarity amongst others and better their in-group’s position.

10. Concluding Remarks • 1)The greater the social space between racial groups the more likely a hierarchical structuring of groups will persist. • 2) When marginalized racial groups are denied access to valuable resources and opportunities individual may develop strategies to gain access. • 3) The greater an individual from a marginalized racial group internalizes the negative stereotypes about their in-group the more likely they will be to pass.

11. 4) The more willing individuals from the dominant group are to allow a marginalized individual access into the inside the more likely that individual will be to pass. • 5) When individuals from a minority group shift their point of reference and pass a white they may be recognized to occupy an intermediary racial status.