Original scientific paper

Ethnic identification and outgroup attitudes in minority and majority groups

Marianna Kosic
Corrado Caudek

Abstract

According to Social Identity Theory, ingroup identification leads to negative outgroup attitudes. According to multi-cultural theory, instead, a stronger ethnic identity should favor acceptance of other groups. Here we studied the relation between ethnic identification (in minority vs majority groups) and outgroups attitudes. In particular, we focused on the emotional reactions towards the opening of a national border due to the enlargement of Slovenia in the European Union. By examining questionnaires from 168 Slovene and 134 Italian majority group students, and 110 Slovene minority students aged 16-19, we found that participants of the majority groups with high ingroup identification reported more negative responses towards the outgroups than participants with lower ethnic identification. For the minority group, conversely, a higher level of identification was associated to more positive attitudes towards the outgroups.

Keywords

ethnic identification; outgroup attitudes; minority groups; majority groups

Hrčak ID:

2314

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/2314

Publication date:

12.4.2006.

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