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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.