A Phenomenological Approach to the Study of Social Distance

Abstract

From its very beginning, sociological thought has been concerned with a topic central to our daily lives: social distance. Since inception, the concept of social distance has referred to the relationships of familiarity and strangeness between social groups, which is experienced in the social world in terms of “We” and “They”. This article covers the main tenets of a Schutzian phenomenological approach to the study of social distance and group relationships. Specific focus is placed on the different attitudes and valuations of the in-group towards the out-group considered as a stranger, the invisible excess of meaning that emerges in these types of social relationships and the conceptual construction of the Other that explains the phenomenon of discrimination.

The Role of Relevance in Stereotyping: a Schutzian Approach to Social Categorisation

“…1 Barber (2001: ch. 4) and López (2021) have also showed that Schutz's insight of in-and outgroup dynamics, in general, is highly valuable for empirical research on discrimination, xenophobia and racism. This article reiterates these arguments by highlighting that typification, in conjunction with Schutz's theory of relevance, has great potential to clarify our understanding of the social psychological processes that underlie stereotyping in outgroup categorisation.…”

Revisiting a destination image model in the social media context with the moderator of social distance from a construal level perspective

“…Given that subjective beliefs are the basis of social distance, any intergroup contact between social members can be subject to the distance perceptions (Karakayali, 2009). The reactions arising from the perceived distance can interact with external stimuli across various contexts of social relationships (Goodwin & Frame, 1989;Joo et al, 2018;López, 2021;Nyaupane et al, 2015;Tasci, 2009;Tasci & Severt, 2017;Thyne & Zins, 2004;Yilimaz & Tasci, 2015).…”

“…Social distance can be a perceptual filter of the tourist's view of residents of a destination as social others (López, 2021;Miramontez et al, 2008). Social distance serves as a frame of reference for how the residents are viewed, as one of the tourist's close social members (i.e., ingroup), or socially distant others (i.e., out-group) (Karakayali 2016;López, 2021).…”

“…Social distance can be a perceptual filter of the tourist's view of residents of a destination as social others (López, 2021;Miramontez et al, 2008). Social distance serves as a frame of reference for how the residents are viewed, as one of the tourist's close social members (i.e., ingroup), or socially distant others (i.e., out-group) (Karakayali 2016;López, 2021). This perceptual reference manifests in a mindset (i.e., in-group versus outgroup) as a salient internal cue of categorization for the residents (McCrea et al, 2012;Miramontez et al, 2008).…”

“…However, the effect of social distance can be pervasive and palpable, even prior to an actual visit (Karakayali 2019;López, 2021).…”