Ingroup solidarity buffers minority members against prejudice’s psychological damage.

Evidence

Allport (1954/1979) noted that strengthening ingroup ties was a common response to prejudice in his observation, “Misery finds balm through the closer association of people who are miserable for the same reason. Threats drive them to seek protective unity within their common membership” (p. 148). As long as targets of prejudice cohere and affiliate with their ingroup, Allport speculated, they are not haunted by their problem, can put up with rebuffs from outside the group, and maintain positive mental health. Thus, he suggested that minority groups might develop a special solidarity as a form of coping with prejudice. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 952

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies Allport’s ‘special solidarity’ concept as a coping mechanism, not merely social preference.