Positionality

Definition

Positionality refers to the social and political context that creates one's identity and shapes one's worldview. It is the recognition that an individual's perspectives, experiences, and biases are influenced by their position within social, cultural, and historical structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Positionality is a critical concept in anthropology, as it acknowledges that the researcher's own background, identity, and social location can influence the research process and findings.
2. Recognizing one's positionality is essential for achieving an 'insider's point of view' in ethnographic research, as it helps the researcher understand how their own biases and perspectives may shape their interpretations.
3. Positionality is particularly relevant in the context of studying marginalized or oppressed communities, as it encourages the researcher to be mindful of power dynamics and to challenge their own assumptions.
4. Addressing issues of positionality and inequities within anthropology is crucial for promoting more ethical and inclusive research practices that better represent the voices and experiences of diverse populations.
5. Positionality is a key consideration in the design and implementation of ethnographic studies, as it can inform the researcher's choice of methods, the types of questions asked, and the interpretations of the data collected.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of positionality is relevant to the anthropological practice of 'reaching for an insider's point of view'.
  • Positionality is central to the anthropological goal of 'reaching for an insider's point of view'. By critically examining their own social, cultural, and historical position, researchers can better understand how their own biases and perspectives may shape their interpretations of the people and communities they study. Recognizing one's positionality allows the researcher to be more reflexive and attuned to the power dynamics at play, which is essential for developing a nuanced and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the research participants.
• Describe how the concept of positionality relates to the practice of ethnography and ethnology in anthropology.
  • Positionality is a key consideration in the design and implementation of ethnographic research. Ethnographers must be mindful of how their own social, cultural, and political position may influence the research process, from the types of questions asked to the interpretations of the data collected. Recognizing one's positionality encourages the researcher to be more reflexive and to critically examine the power dynamics at play, which is essential for producing ethical and inclusive ethnographic accounts that accurately represent the voices and experiences of diverse populations. Additionally, the concept of positionality is central to the comparative and cross-cultural analysis of ethnological studies, as it highlights the need to consider the unique social and historical contexts that shape different cultural worldviews and practices.
• Analyze how the concept of positionality can be used to address issues of inequity within the field of anthropology.
  • Positionality is a crucial lens for addressing issues of inequity and power imbalances within the field of anthropology. By critically examining their own social, cultural, and political position, anthropologists can better understand how their research practices and perspectives may perpetuate or reinforce existing systems of oppression and marginalization. Incorporating positionality into anthropological research and teaching encourages the discipline to be more inclusive, representative, and responsive to the needs and experiences of diverse communities. It also promotes the development of more ethical and collaborative research practices that challenge traditional power dynamics and center the voices and knowledge of marginalized groups. Ultimately, a positionality-informed approach to anthropology can help to dismantle the discipline's colonial legacies and work towards more equitable and socially-just ways of understanding human societies and cultures.

Related terms

Reflexivity:

The practice of critically examining one's own beliefs, assumptions, and position in relation to the research process and the people being studied.

Standpoint Theory: A theoretical framework that suggests an individual's social position and lived experiences shape their perspective and knowledge.

Intersectionality:

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.