An integrative framework on the impact of allies: How identity‐based needs influence intergroup solidarity and social movements

Abstract

What impact do advantaged group allies have within social movements? Although solidarity between advantaged and disadvantaged group members is often encouraged to achieve long-term social change, allies run the risk of being ineffective or counterproductive, therefore making it important to shift our focus towards understanding the impact of allies. We propose an integrative theoretical framework describing the positive and negative impact of allies based on their distinct identity-based needs: advantaged group members' need for moral acceptance and disadvantaged group members' need for empowerment and respect. By consolidating extant literature and identifying gaps in prior research, we propose a set of hypotheses concerning (a) tensions that arise within intergroup solidarity efforts for social change between advantaged group allies and disadvantaged group members, and (b) the role of allies in influencing broader public opinion to advance the psychology of social change.

Ambivalent Effects of Positive Contact Between Women and Men on Collective Actions for Women’s Rights

“…In addition, we considered the perspectives of both the socially disadvantaged group (women) and the advantaged group (men), which is particularly noteworthy because successful social change often requires the coordinated responses of both groups. Understanding factors that promote social change by members of advantaged groups on behalf of disadvantaged groups is also particularly valuable because they have greater resources, may be less likely to receive the backlash for their efforts, and can more readily mobilize other advantaged-group members as allies (Iyer & Ryan, 2009;Selvanathan et al, 2020).…”

“…Thus, when positive interactions occur in a way that also acknowledges injustice, members of socially advantaged groups are likely to become more motivated to take action toward equality (Vezzali et al, 2017). Such collective action by men can help establish a social climate that legitimizes the feminist movement and facilitates the recruitment of allies for the cause among other men (Selvanathan et al, 2020).…”

Understanding allies’ participation in social change: A multiple perspectives approach

“…We start with four empirical papers investigating the advantaged groups' perspective (Adra et al, 2020;Kosakowska-Berezecka et al, 2020;Roblain et al, 2020;Stefaniak et al, 2020), followed by two papers examining the disadvantaged groups' perspective (Hasan-Aslih et al, 2020;Hildebrand et al, 2020). Lastly, we introduce two theoretical papers that use a multiple perspectives approach (Burson, & Godfrey, 2020;Selvanathan et al, 2020). Finally, we provide some new directions for research which we hope will stimulate researchers and practitioners to join this important line of inquiry.…”

“…Empirical progress on allyship cannot be done without models that integrate contradictory findings and highlight unanswered questions. A unique feature of this special issue is the inclusion of two theoretical papers that take a multiple perspectives approach to examining the relationship between disadvantaged groups and advantaged group allies (Selvanathan et al, 2020), and the factors that facilitate collaboration between members of disadvantaged groups (Burson & Godfrey, 2020). We shortly describe both papers and use their insights to reflect on challenges and questions for future research.…”

“…The theoretical papers included in this special issue (Burson & Godfrey, 2020;Selvanathan et al, 2020), as well as recent work on intraminority solidarity (Ball & Branscombe, 2019;Cortland et al, 2017;Craig & Richeson, 2012, provides a starting point for investigating these questions.…”