Question
Asked 10 June 2022

What could be the reverse process of 'Othering'?

In my current research on the lived experience of ageing in extreme poverty, I am trying to illustrate something connecting the discursive social process of 'Othering'. But I am struggling to find a term that can best define the reverse process of 'Othering'. What it could be in one/two words? Your contribution is much appreciated.

Most recent answer

I think it's important to ask where (eg in what system) is 'othering' occurring by whom, and why. Is such othering deep-rooted and habitual? Could othering be learnt by observing (eg listening to) and imitating others? If it's a habitual bad habit, then some neuropsychological research suggests that the processes by which we develop bad and good (eg more inclusionary, fostering health belonging) habits are similar. This article has some other interesting findings relevant to answering these and related questions, consistent with the wider literature I've been reading: https://www.templeton.org/grant/automated-self-control-the-neuropsychology-of-developing-good-habits

Popular answers (1)

Kirsten Gow
University of Aberdeen
If 'othering' is treating people as different / outside the 'norm' then the opposite might be 'normative acceptance'.
As in - 'the othering of group A can be compared to the normative acceptance of group B'.
'Elite' and 'privilege' could also be used but these may be associated more strongly with value judgements.
4 Recommendations

All Answers (28)

Othering is usually done toward those that does not fulfil the dominant discourse, right? So, the dominant, taken-for-granted discourse is already established before individuals/ groups can be othered. I don't see it as a reverse process. Or, do you mean what should be the non-othered people be termed as? I usually use 'elites'.
1 Recommendation
Kirsten Gow
University of Aberdeen
If 'othering' is treating people as different / outside the 'norm' then the opposite might be 'normative acceptance'.
As in - 'the othering of group A can be compared to the normative acceptance of group B'.
'Elite' and 'privilege' could also be used but these may be associated more strongly with value judgements.
4 Recommendations
Olivier Serrat
Georgetown University
The converse of "othering" might be "belonging" if "othering" refers to the phenomenon by which some individuals (or groups) are deemed not to fit the norms of a larger social group.
1 Recommendation
Owasim Akram
Örebro University
Dear Carmelita Ginting-Carlström; Kirsten Gow and Olivier Serrat, thanks a lot for your reply. It gives me some directions. I felt I need to clarify more. As I am exploring the relational perspective of extreme poverty, I consider 'othering' as a relational distancing. I am trying to establish a relational matrix of 'Othering' and 'agency erosion' or 'agency deformation' for which I consider the reverse process as 'agency formation'. Similar to this I need to find a term/phrase that resembles the reverse process for 'othering'? I found 'elite' and 'privilege' more as an antonym of the 'Other' than 'othering'. Also, I doubt whether we want the othered to be 'elite' rather we want them to be mainstreamed, included and so on. In this case, older persons living in severe poverty are my research population. And we continue the debate....
If the "othered" become part of the "mainstreamed", wouldn't they 'blend' with the existing mainstream group? It's no longer a distinct group but suffused as one? Is it possible though? It'll require a dramatic change in the established discourse as well, given your "othered" group being very different from established image of the entrepereneur.
But, based on your own comment, I'm reminded of 'gender mainstreaming', which aims to promote gender equality at policy level. But, it's been criticized a lot! So, I'd refrain from using the term "mainstreaming" because of this.
Anyways, I'm all over the place now. Thank you for making me think! 😄 Now I'm just going to throw some words that reflects the blending of the othered into the mainstreamed: unification, integration, merging.....
Owasim Akram
Örebro University
@Mathilde Maîtrot, join this conversation
Elena Izaksonas
Metropolitan State University
How about belonging/inclusion?
1 Recommendation
Adelaida Struck González
Independent Researcher
I don't understand exactly what you mean. The opposite of otherness would be integration or adaption in this culture.
It may that that an alternative framing of your question could help, Owasim.
One step in what might be a useful direction could be to make a broad distinction between emic and etic perspectives and emic vs etic research. Etic and emic research could establish the difference in discursive perspectives between 'outsiders' and 'insiders' each group of whom may tend toward 'othering' the others. Another useful distinction may be to ask about the 'scale' of othering.
Dialogue between those holding these 2 perspectives could bridge the gap between them (depending on the scale of othering), through what Freire calls cultural synthesis. So initial questions may be, how inevitable is othering and at what scale does it seems to be occurring, and with what apparent outcomes (answers may form part of your initial hypotheses)?
Sharon Mishkovsky
Tel Aviv University
I suggest including, which means: you are invited to be a part of the group even if you are different, and more than that- we see your differences as contributing, so you are welcome to bring your difference to the group with you
Adelaida Struck González
Independent Researcher
OK. It will be a pleasure to contribuiting with you.
Shachar Timor-Shlevin
Bar Ilan University
Dear Akram
I would suggest countering othering with "recognition", it the meaning given to recognition in the conceptualization of social justice made by Fraser and Honneth (2003). I'm attaching an article I just published that specifically makes this offer, in regard to people living in poverty. Hope you'll find it relevant.
1 Recommendation
Owasim Akram
Örebro University
Dear Elena Izaksonas; Bill Walker; Sharon Mishkovsky; Shachar Timor-Shlevin; Adelaida Struck González thanks a lot for your input which are immensely helpful to reframe my thoughts.
Shachar, Your finding that recognition needs to be seen at the discursive, relational, and institutional levels of operation is helpful. However these levels beg another question. According to which values is recognition most consequential (eg in terms of empowering marginalised groups)?
Shachar Timor-Shlevin
Bar Ilan University
Dear Bill, this is a very good question. My study traces the operation of recognition in the context of "critical" (e.g. social-justice-informed, or the social critique of hegemonic social orders) practices and values, however, in the public social services in Israel (as in other places of course) such critical voices are struggling for position, facing the hegemonic stance of conservative and neoliberal perspectives. And in any case, the questions of feasibility and consequentiality need further research. Thanks for this question!
1 Recommendation
Adelaida Struck González
Independent Researcher
Hy Scachar
Today, social empowerment must be accompanied by values and ethical principles, as well as respect for others and for diversity. Otherwise, the balance may tip to undesirable situations as in Latin America.
Vikki Price
University of Sunderland
Would just be cautious of any term that suggests the ‘othered’ group needs to adapt or assimilate with the ’default’ group. I like ‘normative acceptance’, or a similar term that suggests moving towards a place where the ‘othered’ group does not have take the burden of acceptance by the ‘default’ group.
Owasim Akram
Örebro University
Dear Vikki Price, thanks for your comments, I can't agree more. In fact, this came as an inherent message from the data itself.
Vikki Price
University of Sunderland
Did your research come up with anything about 'consciousness raising' Owasim Akram ? Am interested in this and wondered if it was something that came through around otherness?
Vikki Price
University of Sunderland
Did your research come up with anything about 'consciousness raising' Owasim Akram ? Am interested in this and wondered if it was something that came through around otherness?
Anne C Deepak
Monmouth University
I think belonging is the reverse form of othering. There is an institute at UC Berkeley doing some powerful work on these issues. It is called the Othering and Belonging Institute.
Vladimir Pashinskiy
I am independent reseacher
I think it is 'empathy' (in general meaning).
Danny Burns
Institute of Development Studies
including
Sibel Ozasir Kacar
Radboud University
Hi, I think it could be “strategic inclusion“.
Good luck!
Sibel
Colleen Beach
Monmouth University
The term belonging and the work on belonging are compelling. Also, the term radical kinship might be helpful (my frame of reference for that is Fr. Greg Boyle).
Enrique Hugo García Valencia
Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
Interesting question considering that there is the other outside and the other within. When reflecting on the other within one calls it introspection, etc , but when one reflects on the other without there are several ways of categorizing such other: Alien, different, inclusive, exclusive, age group, etc.
Enrique Hugo García Valencia
Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
Interesting question considering that there is the other outside and the other within. When reflecting on the other within one calls it introspection, etc , but when one reflects on the other without there are several ways of categorizing such other: Alien, different, inclusive, exclusive, age group, etc.
I think it's important to ask where (eg in what system) is 'othering' occurring by whom, and why. Is such othering deep-rooted and habitual? Could othering be learnt by observing (eg listening to) and imitating others? If it's a habitual bad habit, then some neuropsychological research suggests that the processes by which we develop bad and good (eg more inclusionary, fostering health belonging) habits are similar. This article has some other interesting findings relevant to answering these and related questions, consistent with the wider literature I've been reading: https://www.templeton.org/grant/automated-self-control-the-neuropsychology-of-developing-good-habits

Similar questions and discussions

Hypothesis vs research question?
Question
15 answers
  • Mohammed Abdu Al Kareem Mustafa AljanabiMohammed Abdu Al Kareem Mustafa Aljanabi
  1. A hypothesis is a prediction or an explanation of a phenomenon that can be tested through scientific research. It is an educated guess based on previous knowledge and observations. A hypothesis is used to guide the research process and to help researchers design an experiment to test the validity of the hypothesis.
  2. A research question is a specific question that a study is designed to answer. It is the central question around which the research is designed and conducted. The research question should be focused and specific, and it should be possible to answer it through research. The research question helps to guide the research process and to determine the appropriate methods and data analysis techniques to use.
In summary, a hypothesis is a prediction about the relationship between two or more variables, while a research question is a specific question that a study is designed to answer
example of a hypothesis:
"I hypothesize that there is a positive relationship between physical activity and mental health. People who engage in regular physical activity will have lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to those who do not."
example of a research question
"What is the relationship between physical activity and mental health among adults? Is there a significant difference in rates of depression and anxiety between those who engage in regular physical activity and those who do not?"

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