Promoting social engagement and well-being in diverse groups: The role of respect

Abstract

We present theory and research that examine how individuals’ perceptions of the quality of their social relationships in self-relevant groups affect the functioning of ethnically diverse institutions (e.g., workplace, schools). Research on intragroup processes suggests that individuals are motivated to seek information about their value to the groups they identify with (personal respect). In diverse institutions, the extent to which key social identities, such as one’s ethnic group, is valued by other group members matters as well (subgroup respect). Moreover, for minority group members, the ethnic ingroup, itself, is a source of important evaluative feedback (ethnic intragroup respect). We review evidence that demonstrates how and when each of these three aspects of social evaluation (personal respect, subgroup respect, and ethnic intragroup respect) shape outcomes central to group functioning, including individuals’ level of engagement in the group and their subjective well-being. We discuss how insights from this research can inform the challenges faced by work organizations and other diverse institutions.