Obviousness: Conversion, Passing, and the Surprising Benefit of Phenotypic Dissimilarity

• In Event: 174 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 14. Race, Religion and Identity

Abstract

Within groups, phenotype can be a characteristic indicating prototypicality, which is associated with high status. Consequently, we might expect that phenotypic similarity to group prototype bolsters felt belonging with that group over phenotypic dissimilarity. I examine this premise in a study of ethnoracially diverse converts to Judaism. If the premise holds, beginning at the point of conversion, those most resembling prototypical Jewish phenotype should attain a sense of belonging among Jews more robustly and rapidly than those who are phenotypically dissimilar. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 117 respondents, however, suggests that the role of phenotype in belonging is both convoluted and counterintuitive. While the most phenotypically similar converts engage in a process of trying to "pass" as Jewish by birth, those who are less phenotypically similar to the stereotype, knowing that passing as Jewish by birth is not an option available to them, more quickly adapt within their adopted group. I argue that, contrary to what the literature would predict, obvious phenotypic dissimilarity has a positive effect.

Author

• Adam Horowitz, Stanford University