Eating together apart: patterns of segregation in a multi‐ethnic cafeteria

Clack, Beverley; Dixon, John; Tredoux, Colin

doi:10.1002/casp.787

Cited by 104 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…There was significant seating aggregation based on sex and race; people tended to sit beside others who matched themselves on these traits, which replicates findings from previous research (Campbell et al, 1966;Koen & Durrheim, in press;Clack et al, 2005). In addition, there was a weaker, but statistically significant trend for persons to sit beside others who were similar in glasses-wearing status and hair length.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Seating aggregation by sex has been consistently found in all the available studies on naturalistic seating arrangements (Campbell et al, 1966;Clack et al, 2005;Sriram, 2002). For this reason, sex is included in the current study to ensure that the observed location (a computer lab) is comparable to locations used in previous research, and to ensure that the statistical procedure used is sound.…”

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Moreover, they found a general tendency for aggregation to occur more strongly as the school semester progressed. Clack, Dixon and Tredoux (2005) used more sophisticated spatial analyses to study the same phenomenon, and found that ethnic segregation existed both at the level of individual groups, and in overall clustering within a multi-ethnic university cafeteria.…”

Section: Inbreeding Homophily In Social Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, observational studies are useful to provide a certain amount of ecological validity to the phenomenon being studied. Given the relatively limited work in the area of physical similarity and seating aggregation (but see (Campbell et al, 1966;Koen & Durrheim, in press;Clack et al, 2005), it is important first to establish that this phenomenon actually exists in the real world, before moving on to experimental research. Thus, Study 2 expands upon the naturalistic observation approach used in Study 1.…”

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Birds of a Feather Sit Together: Physical Similarity Predicts Seating Choice

Mackinnon

Jordan

Wilson

2011

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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Across four studies, people sat (or reported they would sit) closer to physically similar others. Study 1 revealed significant aggregation in seating patterns on two easily observed characteristics: glasses wearing and sex. Study 2 replicated this finding with a wider variety of physical traits: race, sex, glasses wearing, hair length, and hair color. The overall tendency for people to sit beside physically similar others remained significant when controlling for sex and race, suggesting people aggregate on physical dimensions other than broad social categories. Study 3 conceptually replicated these results in a laboratory setting. The more physically similar participants were to a confederate, the closer they sat before an anticipated interaction when controlling for sex, race, and attractiveness similarity. In Study 4, overall physical similarity and glasses wearing similarity predicted self-reported seating distance. These effects were mediated by perceived attitudinal similarity. Liking and inferred acceptance also received support as mediators for glasses wearing similarity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Inbreeding Homophily In Social Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Birds of a Feather Sit Together: Physical Similarity Predicts Seating Choice

Mackinnon

Jordan

Wilson

2011

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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“…In many cases, the local civic societies and the neighbourhood groups in the areas where this research was conducted had no members from ethnic minority backgrounds. Observational research conducted around the same time as these interviews documented a high degree of ethnic segregation among students at Manchester University (Clack et al, 2005).…”

Section: Problematizing the National Identity Problematicmentioning

confidence: 99%

English Identity and Ethnic Diversity in the Context of UK Constitutional Change

2006

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At the time of the devolution settlement in the UK, there was widespread concern that the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales would prompt a rise in English identity at the expense of British identity and, in turn, threaten polyethnic constructions of citizenship. Such presumptions typically rested on reified understandings of the category labels British and English, and conflated the construct of national identity with the constructs of territorial belonging, social inclusion and citizenship. Post-devolution survey data do not currently reveal a decline in British identity in England. Measures of attachment to Englishness vary as a function of ethnic origin of respondent, but also as a function of question wording. A qualitative interview study of young adult Pakistani-origin Muslims in Greater Manchester, north-west England, illustrates how Englishness may be understood to pertain variously to an exclusive cultural or racial category, or to an inclusive territorial entity or community of political interest. Ethnic constructions of English identity need not imply exclusive understandings of citizenship, but their meaning depends crucially on the ways in which nationality and identity are in turn understood in relation to matters of polity and civil society. Conversely, inclusive understandings of national identity do not guarantee the existence of effective ethnic integration or substantive ethnic equality.

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Classroom segregation: where do students sit and how is this related to group relations?

Stringer

Cairns

2015

British Educational Res J

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With increasing ethnic and racial diversity in the classroom, understanding classroom dynamics and the use of space has become increasingly important. In particular, when theoretical perspectives, such as that offered by intergroup contact research, promotes the importance of contact between competing groups to improve relations. Adopting a behavioural approach, the research presented here observed intergroup behaviour between Protestants and Catholics, through seating choice, in three integrated secondary schools in Northern Ireland. In addition, it considered the use of classroom seating plans by teachers. The sample involved students from Year 8 (aged 11-12) and Year 10 (aged 13-14), and their teachers. For observations of seating behaviour, data collection took place at three time points in the school year (September, January and June). Teachers were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their use of seating plans during the January data collection phase. Seating choice was analysed using a statistical index of segregation. Results found persistent religious segregation over time, despite intergroup contact potential. In addition, the use of teacher enforced seating plans was examined and evaluated, suggesting that they may be restricting natural opportunities for intergroup friendship formation. Findings are discussed in relation to implications for theoretical understandings of contact theory, research methods and policy.Everywhere on this earth we find a condition of separateness among groups. People mate with their own kind. They eat, play, reside in homogenous clusters. They visit with their own kind, and prefer to worship together. Much of this automatic cohesion is due to no more than convenience. There is no need to turn to out-groups for companionship. With plenty of people at hand to choose from, why create for ourselves the trouble of adjusting to new languages, new food, or to people of a different educational level? It requires less effort to deal with people who have similar presuppositions. (Allport, 1954, p.17) Separation between groups, whether it is based on race, gender, ethnicity or religion, is evident all around us. It can be observed in the everyday spaces we inhabit, in cafes, at the beach, on the train, in classrooms and in universities. While this is not a novel observation, it is something that the education system (and designers of other shared space) needs to consider. After all, as our classrooms and lecture theatres becomes increasingly ethnically, racially and religiously diverse, we should be considering how these shared spaces are occupied and the impact that this can have on relations within and outside the school setting.

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Eating together apart: patterns of segregation in a multi‐ethnic cafeteria

Cited by 104 publications

References 31 publications

Birds of a Feather Sit Together: Physical Similarity Predicts Seating Choice

Birds of a Feather Sit Together: Physical Similarity Predicts Seating Choice

English Identity and Ethnic Diversity in the Context of UK Constitutional Change

Classroom segregation: where do students sit and how is this related to group relations?

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