Ideologies of Diversity and Inequality: Predicting Collective Action in Groups Varying in Ethnicity and Immigrant Status

Abstract

Ideological positions regarding social diversity and status inequality are examined as predictors of people's willingness to engage in collective action. Using social dominance theory and social identity theory, we hypothesized that the relationships between ideology, ethnic identification, and orientation toward collective action will vary depending on the position of one's group. Comparisons were made between four U.S. groups: White natives, White immigrants, Black/Latino natives, and Black/Latino immigrants. Groups differed in their endorsement of social diversity and social inequality, as well as in their orientation toward collective action and their ethnic group identification. For all groups, ethnic identity mediated the link between ideology and collective action, but the valence and magnitude of paths differed as a function of ethnicity and immigrant status. Social diversity was more critical for U.S. immigrants (White and Black/Latino); social inequality accounted for more variance in native-born U.S. groups (although in opposite directions for the two groups).

Multicultural recognition and ethnic minority rights: A social identity perspective

“…Furthermore, multiculturalism and minority rights challenge group-based hierarchy and domination. For example, using samples from the United States and Israel, Levin, Sidanius, Rabinovith, and Federico (1998) found among ethnic minority group members a positive correlation between ingroup identification and ideologies that challenge the legitimacy of the status hierarchy (see also Deaux, Reid, Martin, & Bikmen, 2006). Hence, for ethnic minority groups, a positive association between ingroup identification and the endorsement of multiculturalism and minority rights can be expected.…”

“…Countries, for example, have different histories, different minorities groups, different political cultures, and different immigration and integration policies (see Baubock, Heller, & Zolberg, 1996;Rex & Singh, 2004). Additionally, the perceptions of immigrant and native-born minority groups may differ (Deaux et al, 2006), and industrial organisations differ in many ways from non-profit organisations or educational settings. Hence, multicultural attitudes and policies in one country or context can have a different meaning in another country or context, and something that works in one situation does not necessarily work in another.…”

Political and Civic Engagement and Participation: Towards an Integrative Perspective

“…), are linked to levels of participation (Deaux, Reid, Martin & Bikmen, 2006;Simon, et al, 1998;van Zomeren, et al, 2008). Social identifications entail adopting group norms concerning participation, and they can also provide ingroup models for participatory behaviours and a sense of social support for one's opinions and actions.…”

A historical perspective on diversity ideologies in the United States: Reflections on human resource management research and practice

“…Reference to diversity ideologies is not new. Deaux, Reid, Martin and Bikmen (2006) examined the effect of the endorsement of social ideologies that support or undermine the position of one's ethnic group on a person's orientation toward collective action. Social dominance theory has been used in some diversity scholarship to make predictions about the relationship between certain ideologies and identification with a group (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999).…”