Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
947119 | International Journal of Intercultural Relations | 2012 | 9 Pages |
Three studies investigated the effects of British majority members’ perceptions of minority members’ acculturation preferences and perceived identity threat on their support for multiculturalism. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) a perception that minority members want to maintain their original culture will negatively affect support for multiculturalism; (2) a perception that minority members want to adopt the British culture will positively affect support for multiculturalism; and (3) a perception that minority members desire contact with British people will positively affect support for multiculturalism. All three effects were predicted to be mediated by identity threat. Studies 1 and 2 focussed on Pakistanis as a target group, and study 3 focussed on ethnic minority members more generally. All studies yielded evidence in support of the hypotheses.
► Three studies were conducted among British majority members. ► Threat mediated the link between perceived acculturation & multiculturalism support. ► Perceived cultural maintenance → higher threat → less support for multiculturalism. ► Perceived culture adoption → lower threat → more support for multiculturalism. ► Perceived contact → lower threat → more support for multiculturalism.