Uncovering an Alternative Social Structure to Social Dominance: A Blend of Ethnography and Community Based Participatory Research

<p>This study investigated social structures that are alternative to the prevailing assumption of Social Dominance Theory (SDT), which is that all human interaction is based on social hierarchies. The implications of social dominance impact health at an institutional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal level. The intersection of these levels of social dominance cause health disparities that perpetuate gaps between populations. This study explored one community organizing group who is challenging social dominance by creating alternative social structures. The methods of this study included Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Arts Based Research (ABR) as ways to generate middle-range theorizing and attempt to exercise decolonizing methodology. The collective social structure of the community organizing group under study was examined and compared to social dominance. This ethnographic study from an emic perspective found four components of a social structure, including responsiveness as a prime motivator to act, welcoming as a form of reciprocity, centering community voice as an institution, and justice to promote equity.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Fox, Andrew A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Doris Candelarie
• Erin Anderson
• Sarah Bridich
• P. Bruce Uhrmacher

• Educational leadership
• Social structure
• Community-Based Research
• Education
• Educational Administration and Supervision

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1931

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2917