Othering

Othering is when a group or person differentiates themselves from another group by describing the group that is not their own as different and alien. The other group is usually devalued in comparison, facilitating the creation of a positive self-image, as well as the forming, strengthening, and confirming one’s own group identity as the norm. This usually happens within an imbalance of power in which those described as being different are impacted by discrimination and therefore have little opportunity to defend themselves against such a categorization.