Collective Action Undertaken by Advantaged Group Members: Examining the Potential Role of Cross-Group Friendship
Date
2023-07
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Abstract
In order to promote social change and improve conditions for disadvantaged social groups it is important for both advantaged and disadvantaged group members to engage in collective action. What motivates heterosexual and cisgender individuals to engage in collective action in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other sexual orientation and gender identity groups (LGBTQIA+)? I examined intergroup contact (e.g., contact between people belonging to different groups) as a possible motivation using a mixed-method approach. Close intergroup contact, such as cross-group friendship has been found to lead to positive intergroup outcomes and in this mixed-method research, I explored it as a pro-outgroup collective action factor. Study 1 included conducting structured interviews with 22 heterosexual and cisgender university students (21 female, 1 male; Mage = 22.59) who have engaged in pro-LGBTQIA+ collective action. Thematic analysis was used to construct the following themes: 1) being motivated by experienced discrimination, 2) the critical importance of values, 3) driven by their beliefs, 4) feeling a sense of responsibility and 5) having intergroup contact. A focus of this study included understanding how cross-group friendships can motivate collective action engagement. When participants discussed their cross-group friendship experiences, the following subthemes were constructed: 1) becoming aware of group inequality, 2) discussing opposite experiences and plans, 3) learning about and / or witnessing discrimination and prejudice, 4) having a high relationship quality with their cross-group friend, and 6) supporting their cross-group friend. Findings from this qualitative study were used to inform Study 2, a cross-sectional study. Heterosexual and cisgender participants (158 female, 176 male; Mage = 35) completed a survey including a social network questionnaire for assessing cross-group friendships, recognition and condemnation of group inequality, negative emotions toward the ingroup, intergroup attitudes and collective action past engagement and intentions. Mere cross-group friendship (e.g., having any cross-group friends versus no cross-group-friends) was associated with more past engagement in collective action, but not with future intentions. Recognition and condemnation of inequality was expected to moderate the relationship between intergroup contact and collective action, but instead was found to play more of a direct role. Recognition and condemnation of inequality was associated with past and future collective action, both directly and indirectly through more positive intergroup attitudes. Findings from both studies suggest that there are various motivations for engaging in pro-LGBTQIA+ collective action among heterosexual and cisgender individuals, with recognition and condemnation of group inequality being a critical factor in driving pro-outgroup collective action.
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Keywords
cross-group friendship, collective action, prejudice, intergroup contact, advantaged group
Citation
Buliga, E. (2023). Collective action undertaken by advantaged group members: examining the potential role of cross-group friendship (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.