Othering is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labeled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group. It is an effect that influences how people perceive and treat those who are viewed as being part of the in-group versus those who are seen as being part of the out-group.

On an individual level, othering plays a role in the formation of prejudices against people and groups. On a larger scale, it can also play a role in the dehumanization of entire groups of people which can then be exploited to drive changes in institutions, governments, and societies. It can lead to the persecution of marginalized groups, the denial of rights based on group identities, or even acts of violence against others.

Signs: Othering is often subtle and may involve unconscious assumptions about others. Here are some signs of this phenomenon:

• Attributing positive qualities to people who are like you and negative qualities to people who are different from you
• Believing that people who are different from you or your social group pose a threat to you or your way of life
• Feeling distrustful or upset with people of a social group even though you don’t know anyone from that group
• Refusing to interact with people because they are different from you or your social group

Causes

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.

In-Group Bias

Also known as in-group favoritism, this is a psychological tendency to favor one's own in-group over members of out-groups. Researchers suggest that factors such as competition for resources can lead people to bond and form alliances with members of their own groups. Other factors such as self-identity and social identity also play a role in this favoritism. In-group bias often influences how we evaluate others, how we treat them, and how we share our resources with them.

Out-Group Bias

People also have a tendency to notice all of the individual differences and variations in members of their own group, while simultaneously believing that members of the out-group are “all the same.“ In psychology, this is known as the out-group homogeneity bias. An example of this is thinking all of the people in your friend group are unique and special while considering anyone outside of your inner circle as boring, uncool, uninteresting, or similar. When, in reality, all those people could be just as unique and fascinating as those in your inner circle.

Justifying Past Mistreatment of Others

Othering can also arise as a way to justify the past mistreatment of others. For example, if you've treated someone else badly, you might experience feelings of shame or guilt about your behavior. In order to reconcile your belief that you are a good person despite your negative actions toward another person, you might engage in othering as a way to dehumanize the individual. It's a way of distancing yourself from them and reducing your empathy for them. As a result, you're less likely to feel bad about your own behavior.

How to Minimize Othering

There are things that you can do to help minimize othering and they are outlined below.

Focus on People as Individuals

Try to remember that each person has their own unique history and experiences as well as complex emotions, thoughts, and motivations.

Become Aware of Your Own Unconscious Biases

Learning to recognize othering is an important step toward overcoming it. ï»¿Implicit biases are unconscious associations or beliefs about different social groups. 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. You can also reduce othering by practicing cultural humility and challenging the belief that others should be like you or that your way is better than anyone else’s.