The Mediating Role of Narrative in Intergroup Processes

Abstract

This article shows how the use of narrative mediates intergroup processes in spoken discourse. Sixty male and 72 female young Australian heterosexual adults participated in 4-person conversations (same-sex or mixed-sex) about HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Twvo hundred and thirty-two extracts from the transcripts that met the criteria for narratives were coded for in-group and out-group, agent and object (if any) named, extent of group homogeneity, and positivity/negativity. Major results of analyses of variance showed more positivity to in-groups than out-groups, children with AIDS, and people with medically acquired HIV; There was little difference in homogeneity amonggroups. On the other hand, qualitative analysis of several extracts indicated that negative affective reactions to the out-group and perceived out-group homogeneity were collaboratively negotiated, using narrative to assist in defining the out-group, the tone adopted by the participants to the out-group, and how participants positioned themselves relative to the issue discussed.