Bridges in social networks: Harnessing dual identity to improve interethnic relations

Improving relations between ethnic minority and majority groups is one of the most pressing needs in modern societies.

This project will test a new theory: that such relations can be improved by minority members who identify with both their ethnic group and the national majority group, because these dual identifiers can create social bridges between communities.

However, not all dual identifiers are recognized as such by others, and misperception may undermine the bridging that dual identifiers can accomplish.

I propose that (a) dual identifiers’ relationships with members of both groups are signals of their dual belonging, but that the degree to which these signals are picked up depends on people’s perception of the structure of their social networks, (b) that perceiving dual identifiers improves intergroup attitudes and relationships, and (c) that these effects occur most likely under specific situational and social psychological conditions.

Thus, this project will advance the interdisciplinary fields of intergroup relations and network science by moving away from the problematic assumptions of previous work that people are always fully aware of others’ dual identities and relationships.I will develop and test a pioneering methodology to measure perceptions of people’s ethnicity and their relationships in social networks.

Survey experiments and a two- and three-wave longitudinal school study will then be conducted to (1) detect how perceived relationships in social networks affect recognition of dual identifiers, (2) uncover whether and how perceiving dual identifiers (as social bridges) improves interethnic relations, and (3) discover factors that prevent or facilitate the effect of dual identifiers.

Next to the theoretical innovation, the focus on the consequences of perceived social networks will break new ground in social network analysis. The findings will lead to new approaches for facilitating the development of positive interethnic relations.