A Naturalistic Observational Study of Informal Segregation: Seating Patterns in Lectures

Abstract

In spite of the removal of legislated racial segregation, a number of observational studies in South Africa and elsewhere have shown that "informal," nonlegislated segregation persists in spaces of everyday interaction. Most of these have been case studies of segregation at single sites. The authors seek to quantify segregation in a sample of sites, in order to develop models of the factors that predict segregation. To this end, the authors use photographs of 67 first-year university classes, taken during the first 2 weeks of the semester, and then again during the last 2 weeks of the semester. Segregation is analyzed using Campbell and colleagues' measure of seating adjacencies. Across the classrooms, segregation correlates with class size, venue size, and class density, and results show higher levels of segregation in the second observation in comparison with the first. The authors conclude that interracial contact at university does not lead to the formation of cross-race friendships and consider a number of ergonomic factors that affect segregation.

Correlates of heavy alcohol consumption at Rhodes University

“…Results confirm that race and sex influence alcohol consumption, as reported by Young and de Klerk (2008) and Young and Mayson (2010), and this reinforces suggestion (Young and Mayson 2010) that drinking might demarcate and reproduce informal racial boundaries in university social contexts. This is supported by other research at South African universities that suggests that seating patterns in residence dining halls follow these same patterns of informal segregation (Schrieff et al 2005), as do seating preferences in lecture theatres (Koen and Durrheim 2010). A study of seating patterns in dining halls at Rhodes University by Reddick and Yen (2006) presents a similar picture.…”

Local university students and intercultural interactions: conceptualising culture, seeing diversity and experiencing interactions

“…It explores the intercultural attitudes, motivations and dispositions first-year students bring to campus, and how these influence their initial take up of intercultural experiences. The first-year experience presents students with opportunities to establish relationships while still relatively uninfluenced by existing campus norms or practices that might influence such patterns (Koen & Durrheim, 2010).…”

Gender norms in South Africa: implications for HIV and pregnancy prevention among African and Indian women students at a South African tertiary institution

“…At the same time, there has been a new fluidity of identities and increased social mobility (Zegeye 2001). Despite post-Apartheid changes, the socially constructed, institutionalized categories of racial identity are still operative— reproduced and reinforced in South Africa’s collective national identity as a rainbow nation, and segregation exists at an informal level (Koen and Durrheim 2008). These politically constructed differences and how they influence individuals cannot be ignored (Shefer et al 2000).…”