When differences become essential: Minority essentialism in response to majority treatment

TY - JOUR

T1 - When differences become essential

T2 - Minority essentialism in response to majority treatment

AU - Morton, Thomas A.

AU - Postmes, Tom

PY - 2009/5/1

Y1 - 2009/5/1

N2 - There is considerable interest in how essentialist beliefs support prejudice and discrimination against minorities. Less attention has been given to essentialism within minority groups. The authors argue that minorities might use essentialism to counter the denial of their identity by the majority (e.g., marginalization) but that essentialism might be less appealing when minority identity is recognized but devalued (e.g., discrimination). In Study 1, gay, lesbian, and bisexual participants contemplated treatment that either devalued or denied their identity. Minority identification was related to stronger endorsement of beliefs about the immutability of sexuality in the context of identity denial but not in the context of identity devaluation. Study 2 replicated this pattern and showed that endorsement of immutability beliefs was mediated through the perceived possibility for social change and was in turn related to feelings of self-efficacy. The results are discussed in relation to current perspectives on essentialism.

AB - There is considerable interest in how essentialist beliefs support prejudice and discrimination against minorities. Less attention has been given to essentialism within minority groups. The authors argue that minorities might use essentialism to counter the denial of their identity by the majority (e.g., marginalization) but that essentialism might be less appealing when minority identity is recognized but devalued (e.g., discrimination). In Study 1, gay, lesbian, and bisexual participants contemplated treatment that either devalued or denied their identity. Minority identification was related to stronger endorsement of beliefs about the immutability of sexuality in the context of identity denial but not in the context of identity devaluation. Study 2 replicated this pattern and showed that endorsement of immutability beliefs was mediated through the perceived possibility for social change and was in turn related to feelings of self-efficacy. The results are discussed in relation to current perspectives on essentialism.

KW - Discrimination

KW - Essentialism

KW - Identity

KW - Marginalization

KW - Sexuality

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65449167203&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/0146167208331254

DO - 10.1177/0146167208331254

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19228599

AN - SCOPUS:65449167203

SN - 0146-1672

VL - 35

SP - 656

EP - 668

JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

IS - 5

ER -