Othering also involves attributing negative characteristics to people or groups that differentiate them from the perceived normative social group.

It is an “us vs. them” way of thinking about human connections and relationships.

Othering is a way of negating another person’s humanity.

What is othering

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Consequently, people who are othered are seen as less worthy of dignity and respect.

On an individual level, othering plays a role in formingprejudicesagainst people and groups.

Othering can be thought of as an antonym ofbelonging.

Where belonging implies acceptance andinclusionof all people, othering suggests intolerance and exclusion.

Examples of othering are often tied to current events, particularly theintense polarizationand division currently seen in U.S. politics.

Generational stereotypes are a good example of age-related othering.

These types of othering can play a role in shapingattitudesand relationships with other people.

Why Are Some People Othered?

The exact causes of othering can vary from one situation to the next.

How and when people are othered often depends on how noticeable their differences are in a specific context.

If these differences are perceived as a threat, people in out-groups are more likely to experience othering.

Some factors that may play a role in this phenomenon are listed below.

Other factors such asself-identityand social identity also play a role in this favoritism.

In psychology, this is known as the out-group homogeneity bias.

When, in reality, all those people could be just as unique and fascinating as your close friends.

Lack of Knowledge

In many cases, people other those that they do not actually know.

Lack of personal knowledge and contact with people can lead to assumptions about them.

This makes it easier to perceive them as overwhelmingly different or even less human.

The causes of othering can be complicated and multifaceted.

When the researchers pitted the two groups against each other in competition, intergroup conflicts and hostilities quickly emerged.

While group cohesiveness and cooperation improved within each group, the boys became increasingly hostile towards each other.

It’s a way of distancing yourself from them and reducing yourempathyfor them.

As a result, you’re less likely to feel bad about your own behavior.

Othering allows people to justify their mistreatment without feeling guilty or culpable.

Othering can have a dramatic impact on individuals, social groups, and societies.

It can lead to discrimination and prejudice against other people.

Prejudice is often fueled by the belief that all members of that group are fundamentally different in some way.

Racism, sexism,homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of intolerance are often rooted in othering.

Casting people as others suggests that their unique characteristics are to blame for existing inequalities.

It can also end up reinforcingexisting biases, such as negative attitudes about different groups of people.

When people internalize these beliefs and attitudes, they can become even more rigid and entrenched.

Othering is also present in politics.

Otherness is often created or exploited with the intention of criticizing and marginalizing other people.

This division leads people to believe that acceptance and tolerance are not possible.

How to Minimize Othering

Being othered can have devastating effects on a person’s health and well-being.

While these biases are hidden from awareness, they may play a role in influencing our conscious attitudes.

Becoming more aware of these hidden biases may help you become less likely to engage in othering.

How these various identitiesintersectplays a role in shaping that individual’s experiences.

Broaden Your Social Circle

We naturally tend to seek others that are like us.

However, seeking out friendships and social connections with people from diverse backgrounds is important.

Speak Up

One way to combat biased behavior is to speak up whenever you see it happening.

People are less likely to engage in othering when it is socially unacceptable.

None of these strategies are quick fixes to the problem of othering.

Since othering often stems from the brains natural tendency to categorize, overcoming it takes intention and effort.

Takeaways

Othering can lead to serious problems both on an individual and societal level.

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