Multicultural societies: making sense of new environments and identities

Abstract

This paper discusses theoretical issues linked to the study of identities and intergroup relations within multicultural societies. The issues discussed concern how identities acquire meaning in contemporary societies where events in the social context challenge identities and redefine the boundaries of the social groups. More specifically the processes involved in the formation of new identity categorisations and the structure of identity are discussed. Two arguments are developed. Firstly that within multicultural societies one should study the systems of categorisation and the new psychological boundaries within the wider theories about the world people elaborate and share. Secondly, it is argued that since people's identities reflect social relationships, elements of the structure of common identities might be shared. Finally, the contributions of the papers of this special issue to the above theoretical debate are presented. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Compatibility of ethnic and national identifications under multicultural policies

“…These negative associations were theoretically expected to have been modified under inclusive environments (e.g. Chryssochoou, 2000; Chryssochoou & Lyons, 2010), but this has not yet been empirically investigated (e.g. Fleischmann & Phalet, 2016; Phinney et al, 2006; Staerklé et al, 2005).…”

Compatibility of ethnic and national identifications under multicultural policies

“…These negative associations were theoretically expected to have been modified under inclusive environments (e.g. Chryssochoou, 2000; Chryssochoou & Lyons, 2010), but this has not yet been empirically investigated (e.g. Fleischmann & Phalet, 2016; Phinney et al, 2006; Staerklé et al, 2005).…”

Social Influence and the Power of Minorities: An Analysis of the Communist Manifesto

“…The social aspect of people's thinking, which constructs a shared reality and enables communication, relates to the way social relationships are translated into concrete cognitive organizations. Thus, social relationships are reified into social categories (Chryssochoou, 2000). Indeed, as observed in the following excerpts, relationships of conflict are embedded in historical evidence and linked to the existence of a system of categorization characterized by dyadic opposition:…”

European attachment and restrictive and inclusive policies towards ethnic minorities and immigrants: The mediating role of perceived threat

“…However, in other sociopolitical settings, the relationship between national and European attachment can be positive, with both identities seen as complementary and nested (Cinnirella, 1997; Díez-Medrano & Gutiérrez, 2001). The interplay between national attachment and European identity appears to be influenced by a country’s subgroup status, which in turn shapes how Europe is perceived, and the level of adherence to this supranational entity (Chryssochoou, 2000).…”

Compatibility of ethnic and national identifications under multicultural policies

“…These negative associations were theoretically expected to have been modified under inclusive environments (e.g. Chryssochoou, 2000; Chryssochoou & Lyons, 2010), but this has not yet been empirically investigated (e.g. Fleischmann & Phalet, 2016; Phinney et al, 2006; Staerklé et al, 2005).…”

Social Influence and the Power of Minorities: An Analysis of the Communist Manifesto

“…The social aspect of people's thinking, which constructs a shared reality and enables communication, relates to the way social relationships are translated into concrete cognitive organizations. Thus, social relationships are reified into social categories (Chryssochoou, 2000). Indeed, as observed in the following excerpts, relationships of conflict are embedded in historical evidence and linked to the existence of a system of categorization characterized by dyadic opposition:…”

European attachment and restrictive and inclusive policies towards ethnic minorities and immigrants: The mediating role of perceived threat

“…However, in other sociopolitical settings, the relationship between national and European attachment can be positive, with both identities seen as complementary and nested (Cinnirella, 1997; Díez-Medrano & Gutiérrez, 2001). The interplay between national attachment and European identity appears to be influenced by a country’s subgroup status, which in turn shapes how Europe is perceived, and the level of adherence to this supranational entity (Chryssochoou, 2000).…”

Compatibility of ethnic and national identifications under multicultural policies

“…These negative associations were theoretically expected to have been modified under inclusive environments (e.g. Chryssochoou, 2000; Chryssochoou & Lyons, 2010), but this has not yet been empirically investigated (e.g. Fleischmann & Phalet, 2016; Phinney et al, 2006; Staerklé et al, 2005).…”

Social Influence and the Power of Minorities: An Analysis of the Communist Manifesto

“…The social aspect of people's thinking, which constructs a shared reality and enables communication, relates to the way social relationships are translated into concrete cognitive organizations. Thus, social relationships are reified into social categories (Chryssochoou, 2000). Indeed, as observed in the following excerpts, relationships of conflict are embedded in historical evidence and linked to the existence of a system of categorization characterized by dyadic opposition:…”

European attachment and restrictive and inclusive policies towards ethnic minorities and immigrants: The mediating role of perceived threat

“…However, in other sociopolitical settings, the relationship between national and European attachment can be positive, with both identities seen as complementary and nested (Cinnirella, 1997; Díez-Medrano & Gutiérrez, 2001). The interplay between national attachment and European identity appears to be influenced by a country’s subgroup status, which in turn shapes how Europe is perceived, and the level of adherence to this supranational entity (Chryssochoou, 2000).…”