Ethnic Identity

a presentation by

Stephen Fox

Background

Herodotus (484-425 BC) observed differences between customs of the

Greeks and of the Lydians, Scythians, Medes, Assyrians, Persians and

Egyptians

(from Marsella, Dubanowsky, Hamada & Morse, 2000)

Background

Tacitus (55-118 AD) in Germania described differences between Romans

and the Germanic tribes

(from Marsella, Dubanowsky, Hamada & Morse, 2000)

Background

“Ethnic” has been used interchangeably with other concepts such as nationality,

race, religion, and culture (Betancourt&Lopez, 1993; Birman,

1994; Oppenheimer, 2001; Phinney, 1996).

Background

Academics began study of ethnic peoples in the mid 19th century, setting

foundations for anthropology and ethnomusicology. By 1900, Wundt began his 10 volume series, Volker

psychologie.

Background

Politically, ethnic affiliation came to the forefront first with civil rights in the 1960s (e.g. Black Power, Hawaiian

Renaissance), when leaders sought to define a group identity

(e.g. Phinney, 1990)

Background

Ethnic issues have since increased:

Demographic changes due to

Birthrate pattern alterations

Voluntary and forced migration

are changing the shapes of entire societies.

(e.g. Phinney, 1990, Marsela & Ring, 2003,

Jablensky, et al., 1994)

Background

Resulting issues include

Psychological health,

Social conflicts,

Educational difficulties,

Social resource allocation,

etc. (e.g. Phinney, 1990, Marsela & Ring, 2003,

Jablensky, et al., 1994)

Ethnic Identity

Tajfel (1981): “That part of a person’s self concept which

derives from his knowledge of his membership of a social

group (or groups), together with the value and emotional

significance attached to that membership.”

(from Phinney, 1990)

Ethnic Identity

The sense of attachment a person has to a particular group, including beliefs and feelings linking them to these groups

(Liebkind, 1992)

Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity: perceptions of and personal affiliation with an ethnic group

and culture

(Keefe, 1992)

Ethnic Identity

Ethnic culture: a pattern of behaviors and beliefs that sets a group apart from others

Ethnic group membership: network of people with whom one is in contact

(Keefe, 1992)

Ethnic Identity

Cultural awareness: familiarity with a culture through personal and familial

experiences

Ethnic loyalty: perceptions and preferences shaped individually

(Keefe & Padilla, 1987)

Ethnic Identity

“Socially shared representations of history have been important in creating,

maintaining and changing a people's identity.”

(Liu & Hilton, 2005)

Ethnic Identity

Discrimination

Ethnic identity may come about as the result both of self-motivation and of

forced membership due to prejudice and discrimination

(Keefe, 1992)

Ethnic Identity

A person’s self concept of his or her ethnic affiliation

Conceptual frameworks

Social Identity Theory

Acculturation and cultural conflict

Ethnic Identity Formation

(Phinney, 1990)

Conceptual frameworks

Social Identity Theory

A “firm sense” of group identification is necessary for an individual’s well-being

(Phinney, 1990)

Conceptual frameworks

Acculturation Theories

EID is only meaningful when 2 or more cultures are in contact. Usually studies an individual’s ties to culture of origin

as opposed to dominant culture

(Phinney, 1990)

Conceptual frameworks

Ethnic Identity Formation

EID is a process similar to other developmental processes. It may be shaped, for instance, through self-examination and personal choices.

(Phinney, 1990)

Components

Dreidger (1975) describes 6 dimensions:EndogamyFriendships

Language useParochial education

Organizational membershipMedia use

(cited in Smith, 1980)

Components

Friendship

Religious affiliation and practice

Structured ethnic social groups

Political ideology and activity

Area of residence

Miscellaneous ethnic/cultural activities and attitudes

(Phinney. 1990)

Components

1. Self-label or group affiliation,

2. Feelings of belongingness and commitment to a group

3. Shared values and attitudes

4. Ethnic involvement such as language and behavior, values, knowledge of

ethnic group history

(Persky & Berman, 2005)

Measurement

3 approaches

NatalSubjectiveBehavioral

(Smith, 1980)

Measurement

3 approaches

NatalBirth origin of person and

progenitors

Measurement

3 approaches

SubjectiveWhat a person considers

him/herself to be

Measurement

3 approaches

BehavioralPractices, language,

membership affiliations

“Behaviors”

LanguageValuesBeliefs

ActivitiesModes of social interaction

“Behaviors”

Language

Language spoken at homeLanguage spoken outside home

“Behaviors”

Values

Filial pietyGroup harmony

“Behaviors”

Beliefs

ManaInshalla

Manifest destiny

“Behaviors”

Activities

Dance and musicEthnic foods

Community organizations

“Behaviors”

Modes of social interaction

Confucian family structureNuclear family

Ohana (extended family)The Burkah

Ethnic Identity

Migration and cultural interaction“the other”

Ethnic Identity

“Ethnic identity may be thought of as an aspect of acculturation,

in which the concern is with individuals and the focus is on how they relate to their own

group as a subgroup of larger society”

(Phinney, 1990, p.501)

Acculturation

Alteration of “identity, values, behavior, and attitudes,” which come

about as a result of new cultural contact

(Berry, 1990; Liebkind, 1996)

Acculturation

Ethnic Identity Continuum

EID is the degree to which the person is aligned with and participates in the values and behaviors of their ethnic

group (Marsella, 2000)

Acculturation

Berry, (1980, 1984) distinguishes four acculturation strategies :

integration, assimilation , separation and marginalization

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Assimilation

a condition in which the individual is subsumed into or identifies solely with the norms and activities of the new host culture. The native cultural paradigm is abandoned in favor of the adopted one

(Liebkind, 1996).

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Assimilation

Gordon (1964), states, "The price of such assimilation, however, is the

disappearance of the ethnic group as a separate entity and the evaporation of

its distinctive values" (p. 81).

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Integration (Biculturality)

the condition wherein an individual is fully integrated and able to function in

both the native and adopted cultural milieu (Nguyen et al., 1999).

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Biculturality

Each culture is comfortable enough to the individual that he or she can

function with relative ease with those others of the native culture in

appropriate moments, and with the host culture at other times.

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Separation

The individual prefers situations and interactions involving only activities and interactions with those from their culture of origin, e.g. within an ethnic

enclave.

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Marginalization (Diffusion)

The native paradigm is abandoned, and the new host paradigm is perceived to

be unavailable or unacceptable

Ethnic Identity Continuum

Marginalization (Diffusion)

Lee (1988) states, “The greatest threat to identity is not the feeling of

belonging to two cultures but the feeling of belonging to none.”

Other issues

“Host” culture

Where societal norms diverge sharply from those of a non-dominant ethnic

group e.g. in terms of roles, hierarchies and obedience behaviors, this can be a

“salient stressor.”

(Liebkind 1996)

Host culture

Berry, Kim, Minde, & Mok (1987) observed that a host culture which

tolerates multiculturality may result in less stress for immigrants than an

assimilationist one

The Generation Gap

In the eventuality that children of the immigrants adapt to the host culture, a new problem may arise in the form of a

cultural schism that occurs between parents and children

(Miller & Rasco, 2004; Nguyen et al., 1999)

The Generation Gap

Of particular relevance are norms about independence, respect for elders, and

contribution to collective well-being of an extended family unit.

(Miller & Rasco, 2004; Nguyen et al., 1999)

Gender

Research varies as to whether females or males have or maintain stronger links

to culture of origin.

(Phinney, 1990)

Gender

Southeast Asian women in the US frequently are more employable than

men due to language skills or job availability. This completely changes

familial dynamics in gender roles.

(Gerber et. al., 1999, Denmark, Eisenberg, Heitner, & Holder, 2003)

Effects

Societal: inter-ethnic conflicts (e.g. Eckblad et. al., 1994).

Individual: ‘pathological’ outcomes, e.g. youths with identity diffusion may

be more likely to have diagnosable pathologies, or may be more inclined

toward delinquent behaviors.

What exactly is ethnic identity?

Is ethnic identity a constant?

How can it best be measured?

What are the outcomes of various acculturation strategies?

What happens in situations with multiple ethnicities in contact?

Are there generalizable components of ethnic identity?