Browsing by Author "Ben - Kane, Yvonne"

The present study focused on the relationship between perceived discrimination, identity and outgroups attitudes of immigrants towards nationals of mainstream societies. It started with the introduction of theoretical models describing the aforementioned relationships. First Berry’s (1997) acculturation strategies model was presented in the core of which are the identification preferences of minority group members with respect to ethnic identification. In addition, based on the Rejection-Disidentification Model (RDIM) (Jasinskaja-Lahti et al., 2009), perceived discrimination was discussed in terms of its consequence for immigrants’ perception of ethnic superiority and their attitudes towards members of the mainstream society. The measures of the study (self – rating questionnaires) were adopted and or modified from existing scales for the purpose of a larger MIRIPS-FI project (Mutual Intercultural Relations in Plural Societies) conducted at the Department of Social Sciences, Unit of Social Psychology (University of Helsinki) under the leadership of Professor Inga Jasinskaja-Lahti between 2012-2014.. The sample used in this study were Russian speaking immigrants living in Finland (N = 317). The study found complex and dynamic relationships between perceived discrimination, identity and outgroups attitudes. The results showed that perceived discrimination enhanced hostile outgroup attitudes and also reduced national identification among the immigrants. The results also showed that ethnic identification did not affect the relationship between perceived discrimination and the outgroup attitudes of the immigrants towards members of the mainstream society. However, it rather showed that national identification and perceived ethnic superiority predicted the relationship between perceived discrimination and outgroup attitudes towards nationals of mainstream societies. The results showed that the presence of actual or perceived discrimination restricts the achievement of a superordinate identity and also promotes hostile attitudes among immigrants towards natives of mainstream societies. The theoretical relevance and practicality of this study are discussed in order to understand identity preferences and its accompanying outgroup attitudes of immigrants in the development of an inclusive society