Shared misery and external threats drive stigmatized groups toward protective internal solidarity

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. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 952 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

However, Arab Muslims who associate with identify-affirming networks have more psychological distress. Identifying as Muslim in our current sociopolitical context is more of a stressor than an avenue for social support and so is more detrimental than protective for health. — Goleen Samari, Islamophobia and Public Health in the…, 53 (#complicates, via linked claim)

What is clear from current research is that the pervasiveness of racial discrimination (i.e., the universal context of racism) has a generally adverse impact on psychological well-being. Although distancing oneself from the outgroup (i.e., strengthening ties to the ingroup) can have positive psychological benefits for targets of discrimination, as Allport suggested, this can lead to outgroup prejudice, which may exacerbate the negativity of interracial relations. For example, Blacks might take solace in segregating themselves from Whites (and may feel completely justified in doing so), but self-protective behaviors can undermine opportunities for Blacks to disconfirm negative stereotypes possessed by Whites (and vice versa). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1072 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Groups internalize external threat as an oath to preserve cohesion after danger recedes — Fredric Jameson, Marxism and Form, 509; Shared sacrifice in military service built solidarity while unequal service bred cynicism — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 939; A constructed shared victimhood unified diverse displaced German groups. — Manuel Borutta and Jan C. Jansen, Vertriebene and Pieds-Noirs in Postwar…, 184 (+15 more)

Broader Connections

• Shared prejudice threats build protective ingroup solidarity #corroborates (0.95) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 952
• Identity-affirming networks can paradoxically worsen distress for stigmatized groups. #complicates (0.80) — Goleen Samari, Islamophobia and Public Health in the…, 53
• Self-protective ingroup solidarity can backfire by preventing stereotype disconfirmation #complicates (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1072
• Ingroup distancing protects well-being but feeds prejudice that worsens interracial relations #complicates (0.76) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1072
• Feeling closer to ingroup members increases dehumanization of outgroups #complicates (0.74) — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 529