National identification and ingroup bias in majority and minority groups: A field study

This field study tested the prediction that subjects' ratings of identification with their group and ingroup bias relating to their group would both be stronger for minority ethnic groups within Australia than for subjects from the majority Australian group. These hypotheses were tested using a sample of 373 Year 11 students from high schools in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects completed a Cultural Cringe Scale (CCS) designed to measure subjects' evaluation of Australian products and achievements compared with those of other countries, six items derived from the CCS but targeted to subjects' own reported national group, and measures of national identity and identification with own national group. The cultural cringe items were scored in the direction of positive bias towards Australia or own national group. Results showed that, as predicted, identification with own national group was stronger for subjects from minority groups who reported non-Australian identity than for subjects from the majority Australian group, but this result was not replicated for students with Vietnamese, Creek, or Chinese national identities. Female subjects showed more positive bias towards their group than male subjects. Contrary to prediction, ingroup bias was stronger for the majority group subjects than for the minority group subjects. Results were discussed in terms of salience, social identity theory, and the optimal distinctiveness model.