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Session #6: Ethnocentrism, Power and Privilege

Session #6: Ethnocentrism, Power and Privilege. Class members will gain an understanding of : The nature and cycles of power The effects of privilege The construct of ethnocentrism Privilege Exercise Eye of the Storm Video. What is Power? (Ragins & Sundstrom, 1989).

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Session #6: Ethnocentrism, Power and Privilege

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  1. Session #6: Ethnocentrism, Power and Privilege • Class members will gain an understanding of : • The nature and cycles of power • The effects of privilege • The construct of ethnocentrism • Privilege Exercise • Eye of the Storm Video

  2. What is Power?(Ragins & Sundstrom, 1989) • Influence of one person over others stemming from: • Individual Attributes(Dahl, 1957; Etzsioni, 1961; Weber, 1947) • Interpersonal Relationship(Dansereau, Graen & Haga, 1975; Cartwright, 1959) • Organizational Resources(Hinnings et al, 1974; Pfeffer, 1981; Mechanic, 1962) • Social Group(Clark, 1966; Miller, 1986). • Power comes from multiple sources and group membership.

  3. What else determines an individual’s power in organizations?(Ragins, 1995) • #1 THE ORGANIZATION’S CULTURE • #2: STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION • #3: HOW BEHAVIORS ARE PERCEIVED

  4. What determines your power?#1: The organization’s CULTURE • Culture = Organizational VALUES • Determines: • Who gets resources and power • The “have’s” and the “have-nots” • The behaviors that get rewarded: collaboration vs. competition • Defines “power-broker”; “shaker and mover”; “up and coming.” • What do you think of when you say: “CEO”? What image comes to mind? • Is power a white, able-bodied, male, heterosexual construct?

  5. What determines your power?#2: Structural Integration • Are all groups represented at all levels and ranks? • Glass Ceiling • Glass Walls: tracking into powerless positions • Obtain power associated with position? Window dressing? • Exclusion from corporate suite = little impact on culture or what organization values. • Perpetuates cycle

  6. What determines your power?#3: How you are Perceived • Perceptions of power affected by: • Stereotypes and Attributions • Is she the secretary? Does he work here? • Tokenism Effects • Token assumed to have all characteristics of group -- powerless? • Backlash • you’re an AA hire….” • Cultural/Gender differences in influence strategies • Direct vs. Interactive • (What do you think about doing this vs. Do this) • Use of same strategy may not result in same outcomes • She’s bossy; He’s direct • She nags; He pays attention to details

  7. OUTCOME: The cycle of powerlessness • He/She is: • “just not management material.” • “just not a good leader.” • “doesn’t seem to earn the respect of his/her peers.” • “doesn’t have the authority; can’t enforce decisions.” • “is not a team player.” • “lacks the interpersonal skills.” • “can’t get his/her team motivated.” • Impairs individual’s ability to gain power • Reinforces structural segregation and cultural status quo. • Culture, Structure and Behavior mutually reinforcing.

  8. ETHNOCENTRISM AND GROUP DIFFERENCES(Cox, 1993) • Ethnocentrism is: • Tendency to view your group as center of universe • Interpretation of other groups from your groups perspective (they eat weird food…) • Range from bias to open hostility (them foreigners!) • Pervasive: occurs in any group (even at work: those engineers!) • Related to authoritarian personalities (rigid); and low moral development (can’t see gray areas). • Based on similar-to-me bias • We like those who are like us - comfort factor. • People like us are more predictable, less risky, validate us.

  9. WHAT IS PRIVILEGE? • Advantages, Awards and Benefits given to individuals in the dominant group -- often without their request • May be given • Unintentionally • Unconsciously • Automatically • Or may be intentional…. • Often invisible or expected • Many types of privileges (race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, religion)

  10. PRIVILEGE “I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in every day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, assurances, tools, maps, guides, codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, compass, emergency gear and blank checks.” (McIntosh, 1988, p. 130)

  11. Privilege Exercise • If you consider yourself European-American come into the middle of the room. • Read papers out loud. • Inner circle: What is your reaction? Do you agree or disagree? Surprises? Do you ever challenge your privilege? What are some other privileges? 4. Outer Circle: Your reactions? What rang true? • Extend to other groups: Sexual Orientation, Disability, Class, Religion, Obesity. • What statements of privilege reflect these groups?

  12. Eye of the Storm Video (Watch privilege and ethnocentrism in action. )

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