Exploring social tolerance in the light of identity markers within a heterogeneous population: a demographic study in a multi-tribal context

Abstract

This study was designed to assess how primary identification markers affected social tolerance in a multi-tribal setting among a heterogeneous population. A sample of 312 participants was selected using the purposive sampling technique. A search of the literary documentation yielded three modalities of the dependent variable. Thus, data were collected from the Feeling Thermometer, Affirmative Action, and Multiculturalism scales. We assessed participants' levels of identification with identity markers to determine their impact on social tolerance. The findings suggest that measures of social tolerance are somewhat significantly influenced by Cameroonians' levels of affiliation with their key identity markers. However, tolerance decreases when tribal identity becomes stronger. Conversely, the effect of linguistic and religious identification forces on social tolerance varies depending on the object to be tolerated. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the determinants that influence social tolerance in a tribal setting.