Ethnicity and perceptions of being a “typical American” in relationship to ethnic identity development

Individuals who are ethnic minorities in the US form both an ethnic identity and an American identity. Some ethnic minorities may not view themselves as part of being a typical American. A total of 372 college students (female=350, male=22) completed the multigroup ethnic identity measure (MEIM) [Phinney, 1992. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7, 156-176] and responded to a questionnaire on perceptions of being like and unlike a “typical American.” In this study, Asian Americans and Latinos have the highest levels of ethnic identity and see themselves as not being typical Americans more than other ethnic groups. However, Latinos who report not being typical Americans have higher levels of ethnic identity. For Asian Americans, perception of being a typical American made no difference in levels of ethnic identity.