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Insiders and Outsiders

Significance of insiders and outsiders can be viewed in the context of relationships where insiders are considered as those individuals involved in a relationship whereas outsiders are the observers.

The study of insider's and outsider's theory is an attempt by social scientists to understand interpersonal relationships.

The insider's perspective has been given prominence by sociologists who have often use a family member to give his or her opinion about a particular issue and such an opinion is taken as the entire group's opinion. On the other hand the outsider's perspective is advanced by social psychologists who contend that outsiders often give an objective opinion about reality. In order to understand the interpersonal relationships well and avoid the accusation of bias it is important to combine the two approaches.

Both insiders and outsiders need to be explored because studies have shown that any information provided by either party has significant level of bias that can only be neutralized by considering the latter's stand point. Take for instance, a survey being carried out in different households about marital problems in marriages. About 70 percent of respondents may happen housewives not because they are knowledgeable about the subject but because they are available.

If an opinion about the causes of marital problems is to be formed based on such a survey, it is likely to be skewed and therefore cannot be authoritative enough to help alleviate marital problems. Since most women are likely to point out to men as the cause of marital problems, an outsider's viewpoint should be incorporated to level the opinions raised by one party against the other.

Insider and outsider perspectives are important in our day to day lives because they define our interpersonal relationships. Since the two concepts focuses on the two sides of a coin (relationships) the best way is to combine the two approaches so as to obtain validity of findings in our effort to understand human behavior.

Mat21