The Social Psychology of Multiculturalism: Identity and Intergroup Relations

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Abstract

This article addresses the social psychology of multiculturalism from two perspectives: (a) that of the individual migrant, who participates in two (or more) intersecting cultural communities and typically has multiple identifications; and (b) that of the majority culture, which formulates expectations and prescriptions for dealing with diversity. The article frames this analysis with a discussion of the distinction between ethnicity, identity and culture. From the perspective of the immigrant, multiple identifications can include not only ethnicity and nationality of both homeland and country of migration, but also other categories of group membership such as religion, class, and gender. These complicated intersections are not only structural in nature, but have implications for behavioral choices as well. Majority cultures can support or resist cultural diversity, and intergroup relations vary as a function of the potential threats seen by the majority. The article concludes with consideration of the implications of our analysis for social policy.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Multicultural Identity: Basic and Applied Psychological Perspectives
EditorsV. Benet-Martínez, Y-Y. Hong
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages118-138
ISBN (Print)9780199796694
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Publication series

NameOxford library of psychology

Keywords

  • religion
  • multiple identities
  • culture
  • dual identity
  • ethnicity
  • gender
  • identity
  • immigrants
  • multiculturalism
  • multicultural recognition

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