There seems to be a recent shift of malevolence dividing this country and the musicking tribe are stepping up. Good to see the ‘Love music hate racism’ crew coming forward.
Tonic Music was launched from the forefathers of musicking diversity AKA The Specials!
My band Babyshambles were also a key part of this movement in the noughties, and I hope other young new young bands can pick up the mantle.
This divide got me thinking, especially regarding the peer groups.
I have been asked in the past to run groups for certain demographics, which is an important part of helping people to feel safe. Despite this I do often hold concern that if we segregate into individual groups, we could be inadvertently contributing to the problem. I have recently been completing another MSc in psychology and have the pleasure of taking some deep dives into social psychology and the research surrounding this.
One theory that stood out to me was ‘contact theory’ in the book 'The Nature of Prejudice' by the US psychologist Gordon Allport . I first came across his work when completing my doctoral thesis. He suggests how meaningful contact between diverse groups, under conditions of supported, equal status and common goals, can help reduce biases. These of course, are the core conditions of the Tonic peer group!
When I see other peer groups offered for a specific demographic or group of individuals, I hold concern. This approach could mean that specific groups of individuals are primarily interacting within homogenous groups (the same), and their exposure to different perspectives and experiences become even more limited. This lack of interaction could lead to the reinforcement of ‘in-group favouritism’ and ‘out-group biases’, as people tend to rely on existing stereotypes to understand those they do not interact with regularly (so the science tells us, on the paper 'A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory').
So, in a nutshell, contact bias theory, (derived from Allport's (1954) Contact Hypothesis) suggests that positive interaction between (for example,) different racial or ethnic groups can reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations. When peer groups are racially exclusive, it can limit opportunities for positive interactions, potentially reinforcing stereotypes and deepening divisions.
For example, when we create (insert diversity categorisation) peer groups, members might miss crucial opportunities to engage with individuals from other (insert diversity categorisation) backgrounds, which could perpetuate misunderstandings and reduce empathy across all groups. While these groups can offer crucial support and validation in the face of shared struggles, they can also unintentionally create echo chambers where negative stereotypes about out-groups are unchallenged. This isolation might contribute to a more polarised view of conflict dynamics hindering broader social cohesion and understanding, or not…
From my own experience of running the open peer groups at Tonic music, I feel that if we limited the interaction with diverse groups, we could prevent the development of important social skills that are necessary for navigating a multicultural, multi-gendered, diverse society. In diverse and open settings, people are more likely to encounter different viewpoints, fostering adaptability, empathy, and better communication skills. Without these interactions, members of exclusive groups might find it harder to relate to or collaborate with individuals from different backgrounds. It’s also really good for us in the normative sector to hear the stories of other more diverse groups.
To sum up, while (insert diversity categorisation) peer groups can provide valuable support, they might also reinforce contact bias, limiting opportunities for positive intergroup interactions and fostering a wider understanding on both sides. Encouraging diverse group interactions, while maintaining spaces for specific support, could help balance these dynamics. Of course, this is from my own personal bias, pulling in from one angle of social psychology, there are, of course more. But….food for thought anyway as we navigate these divisive times!
As a concluding thought, I hope music itself can bring us together as it has done in the past.
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
