Reading Thoroughgood et al. (2024) on why bystanders should act

“When advantaged group employees courageously stand up for the rights of their colleagues with marginalized identities, research suggests that they communicate a powerful, public “message of value” to such individuals“, according to Thoroughgood et al. (2024). And this message can have more effects in addition to signaling to the colleagues with marginalised identities that they matter and the courageous actor cares (which is of course very important):

Third-party observers can also hear the message, and compare themselves with the courageous actor. Failing to be as couragous as them, can interpret that in two ways: Either that they are morally deficient (which can lead to negative gossip about the actor, or other negative consequences — which is what many are afraid of), or that they have something to live up to (which can result in positive gossip and/or actions to support the courageous actor). But how can we make sure that it is the latter?

Thoroughgood et al. (2024) suggest that “these different reactions depend on observers’ own self-confidence to engage in similar courageous action—what we refer to as oppositional courage self-efficacy“. Confidence can be built, for example through trainings and positive feedback, and through knowing that observing courageous action can inspire the observer to also act courageously, and lead to positive reputation for the courageous actor.

I am reading this article thinking about my teaching unit on microaggressions, where I focus on what signal a bystander is sending to the target and the perpetrator, and on suggesting different ways in which the bystander could become active. So far I have not stressed that a bystander becoming active also acts as a role model to others, giving them “permission” to also become active, and this is a very important point that I will add going forward!

Thoroughgood, C. N., Sawyer, K. B., Kong, D. T., & Webster, J. R. (2024). Oppositional courage for racial and ethnic minorities: A source of White employees’ upward moral comparison. Journal of Management, 01492063241241312.

And for today’s wave watching pictures: Beautiful evening dip on Monday!

Love watching light under water!

Funny how the seafloor looks so much lighter than the sea surface!

And I love this picture, THIS is what summer looks like!

Accidental split picture!

This just makes me want to jump in!

Another accidental split picture. I really enjoy this perspective when I am wearing goggles!

But also just looking in from the top is great!

I love water!