| This study investigated the manner by which a diverse sample of 37 high school seniors from an urban community structured their social relations in terms of their intra- and inter-ethnic dimensions, termed Same Group Orientation (SGO) and Other Group Orientation (OGO), respectively. In addition to traditional methods (namely, self-report questionnaires), a novel yet empirical method—autophotography—was used. Autophotography involves having participants take photographs that answer the question, “Who are you?” Participants also provide written descriptions of the meaning and intent of their photographs.;A Bidimensional Group Orientation Model was developed and analysis focused on two groups that emerged from it—Avoiders (n = 11) and Engagers (n = 14). Clear patterns emerged between the Avoiders (high SGO, high OGO) and the Engagers (low SGO, low OGO) regarding social relations. In contrast to the Engagers, Avoiders possessed an orientation to restrict rather than expand their social worlds. Based on self report and autophotographic data, Avoiders also had a limited range of peer and family relations when compared to the Engagers. Furthermore, the means by which Avoiders accomplished their social detachment—“escaping” (desiring to leave a present circumstance), “abstracting” (documenting few social relations, though evidencing conceptual social interests, e.g., social justice), and “bewildering” (obfuscating the expression of their personal identity)—appeared unique to this group. The Engagers, in contrast, accomplished their social engagement by engaging with other ethnic groups either in a “blended” (no apparent intra- and inter-ethnic distinctions) or “two-tiered” (having intra- and inter-ethnic relations, but with seemingly closer relations with intraethnic individuals) manner. Coder-rated, autophotographic measures of adjustment further revealed that Engagers were perceived to be better adjusted than the Avoiders.;Overall, findings demonstrate the commensurability of autophotography methodology with ethnic identity studies, especially when integrated in a mixed method design. That is, autophotography's chief strength—its sensitivity of participant viewpoints and social context—captured the phenomenology implicated in identity studies. Implications also are discussed regarding the need to revise existing models of ethnic identity to integrate non-minority (White) populations and to explain better the fluid (context-sensitive and developing) nature of adolescent ethnic identity. |
