عنوان

Minority-Minority Relations: An Intersectional Investigation of Dalit-Muslim Relations in India

TL49208

انگلیسی

Minority-Minority Relations: An Intersectional Investigation of Dalit-Muslim Relations in India

[Thesis]

Rashmi Nair

Vollhardt, Johanna Ray

Clark University

2016

322

Committee members: Curtin, Nicola; Fernando, Jude

Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-369-45550-2

Ph.D.

Psychology

Clark University

2016

The vast majority of social psychological research on intergroup relations has focused on improving ties between members of majority and minority groups. Conversely, little remains known about social psychological factors that shape minority-minority relations. Moreover, much of this work has employed quantitative methods and has focused on Western contexts. In addition, the existing research on minority-minority relations has taken a singular approach - meaning it focuses on single identity groups like ethnic or religious identities and does not examine beliefs linked with other intersecting identities. Addressing these gaps, this dissertation explores relations between two under-researched minorities in the understudied setting of India - Dalits and Muslims. I conducted two studies that employed two different qualitative methods - individual interviews and focus group discussions - to reach different sections within these communities. Building on the findings of these studies, I examine relations between these communities through an intersectional lens and focus on intersecting identities. I employed a combination of inductive and deductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. Analysis revealed five victim beliefs in relation to intersectional experiences that can hold important implications for minority-minority relations. Specifically, three different kinds of victim beliefs underscored perceived differences in group-based experiences: intersectional competitive victim beliefs, perceptions of intersectional advantage, and beliefs of intersectional qualitative difference. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the presence of intersectional inclusive victim beliefs and singular consciousness, which emphasize perceived similarity in the experiences of collective victimization. While singular consciouness and competitive victim beliefs associated with intersecting identities may be linked with negative intergroup outcomes, inclusive victim beliefs as well as perceptions of qualitative difference and advantage linked with intersecting identities may shape positive intergroup outcomes. Victim beliefs linked with intersectional experiences can serve as additional sources of tensions and solidarity between minorities along with those victim beliefs that are linked with single-identity groups. Theoretically, this dissertation brings together current research on victim beliefs with work on intersectional consciouness in the understudied context of relations between disadvantaged minorities. Policy makers and activists can draw on these findings to better understand and addresss concerns of more disadvantaged sections within minorities, as well as build solidarity within and between minorities. In this way, this dissertation holds important theoretical and practical implications for researchers, policymakers and activists alike.

Social psychology

Psychology;Dalit-Muslim relations;Intersectional consciouness;Intersectionality;Minority-minority relations;Victim beleifs

Hussain, Ajmal

Vollhardt, Johanna Ray

Psychology

Clark University

1868839246; 10242545

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y