Outsider viewpoint Essay Example

Outsider viewpoint Essay Example Outsider viewpoint Essay Outsider viewpoint Essay This essay aims to explore two theories of identity, in particular how insider and outsider viewpoints have been used while researching these theories. A short discussion of what identity means is followed by an explanation of what insider and outsider viewpoints are. This distinction is then illustrated using two different identity theories and the studies that were used in their research.  Identity is a broad concept, therefore several theories have been proposed for different aspects of identities. Many types of research have been used to explore the topic the aim being formation of theories that explain what identities are, and how they form (Phoenix, 2002). To understand how this research into identity has made use of both insider and outsider viewpoints, it is important to be clear on what these terms mean. An insider viewpoint is subjective, and focuses on the experiences of particular individuals. This could include a persons emotions, beliefs, reasons and motives. Therefore the data generated from research taking an insider viewpoint usually falls into the category of inner experiences. To gain access to these experiences, the individual concerned must be able to explain them to the researcher and put them into words interviews and questionnaires are common methods when operating from an insider viewpoint. As we will see later it is also possible to take an individuals inner experiences and look at them in a more distant way using an outsider viewpoint. Taking an outsider viewpoint means looking at the subject from outside this approach is not concerned with the inner experiences of a particular individual. When taking this approach the aim is to be objective. This viewpoint favours data obtained from experiments (termed material data) and observations of behaviour. The outsider viewpoint is seen from the researchers point of view, rather than that of the participant (Phoenix and Thomas, 2002). When considering research into identity, both insider and outsider viewpoints have been used. Some theories may favour the use of one viewpoint, whereas others may approach the subject from both angles. An example of this can be seen in the research of psychosocial identity theory. The psychosocial theory suggests identity is influenced by personal and social factors, and that our identity is a bridge between our core selves and the social context (Erikson, 1968). Psychologist Erik Erikson founded the psychosocial approach and formed his theory mainly through clinical and naturalistic observation of people. This would have encompassed both an insider viewpoint hearing about his patients inner experiences and an outsider viewpoint using information gained by observing others (Phoenix, 2002). James Marcia also took the psychosocial approach and used the Identity Status Interview a semi-structured interview to research identity in many adolescents, expanding on Eriksons ideas. The semi-structured interview allows a set of questions to be asked in a flexible manner, allowing participants to answer freely in their own words, whilst still ensuring that the relevant topics are covered (Phoenix, 2002). Marcias aim was to explore to what extent adolescents took active choices from different possibilities before committing to particular roles which then became part of their identity. He used the semi-structured interview to discuss issues such as religion, politics, careers and relationships. The interviews were recorded so that the responses could be listened to and analysed later. This is an example of research from an insider viewpoint the result was personal accounts of individuals thoughts and experiences, told in their own words. Marcia also used the participants responses to categorise them into one of four stages of identity development (Marcia, 1966, 1980, 1994). This categorisation of responses by Marcia meant that the data was also looked at from his own perspective an outsider viewpoint. Another approach to identity is Social Identity Theory (SIT) which is concerned with group identities. SIT aims to explain how people identify with certain social groups and separate themselves from others. The theory proposes that our social identities arise from the labels that we give ourselves which are derived from the social groups that we feel a part of. SIT also proposes that there are power struggles between different social groups and this is what leads to prejudice and discrimination (Tajfel, 1978). The research methods that have been used to investigate the claims of SIT are very different from those used in psychosocial identity research. Henry Tajfel conducted the classic minimal group experiment this is a clear example of research being done solely from an outsider viewpoint. The experiment involved teenage boys separated randomly into two groups firstly thinking that they were being separated according to a preference for one of two artists. By asking each boy to select one of three sets of points to be allocated to the groups, Tajfel was able to assess which was most important to each boy total points achieved by the group, or maximising the difference in points between the two groups. He found that the boys were more concerned with maximising the points difference between their group and the other. The experiment was repeated and this time the boys were aware of the fact that their group allocations were completely random but the result was the same. This indicated to Tajfel that being placed into arbitrary groups is enough to generate favouritism towards the ingroup (ones own group) and discrimination towards the outgroup (the other group). Tajfel explained these findings in terms of individuals needing to feel part of groups that have high status compared to other groups hence we try to maximise the differences between our own group and others, to maintain a positive social identity (Tajfel et.al. 1971). Using an outsider viewpoint, Tajfel was able to investigate the dynamics of social groups, achieving results which support his theory. Looking at the situation from an insider viewpoint would not have been helpful since individuals may not be aware that they are seeking to improve the status of the social groups to which they belong, or why they would want to do so.  In looking at psychosocial theory and SIT it is clear that both the insider viewpoint and the outsider viewpoint have an important part to play when researching identities. Studying identities from both the participants point of view and that of the researcher allows different facets of the concept of identity to be explored, leading to a better knowledge of how identities are formed both personally and socially.