When we talk about American ethnic groups, what do we mean?
Abstract
American ethnic groups are often thought of as discrete categories to which people belong and that explain some aspects of psychological functioning. However, ethnicity is a complex multidimensional construct that, by itself, explains little. To understand its psychological implications, it is necessary to identify and assess those aspects of ethnicity that may have an impact on outcomes of interest. In this article, the author examines 3 key aspects of ethnicity: cultural norms and values, the strength, salience, and meaning of ethnic identity, and the experiences and attitudes associated with minority status. These aspects are best understood in terms of dimensions along which individuals and samples vary, rather than as categories into which individuals can be classified.
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Based on the long history of white supremacy shaping U.S. society, as well as the writings of early ERI scholars, white pride cannot carry the same meaning as Black or Latinx pride, and a sense of belonging to whiteness does not signify positive ethnic group belonging.
“Based on the long history of white supremacy shaping U.S. society, as well as the writings of early ERI scholars (Phinney, 1996; Sellers, 1993), the answer to these questions is clearly “no.””
From Studying Ethnic-Racial Identity among White Youth: White Supremacy as a Developmental Context (2022) · cites this paper as Phinney, 1996
Berry's taxonomy supports the argument that acculturation is not a linear process but a multidimensional process that includes one's orientation to both one's ethnic culture and the larger society.
“Berry's taxonomy supports the argument that ''acculturation is not a linear process, with individuals ranging from unacculturated to assimilated, but rather a multidimensional process that includes one's orientation to both one's ethnic culture and the larger society'' (Phinney, 1996, p. 922).”
From Bicultural Identity Integration (BII): Components and Psychosocial Antecedents (2005) · cites this paper as Phinney, 1996
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“Furthermore, ethnic identity comprises a number of different components, including self-labeling, a sense of belonging, positive evaluation, preference for the group, ethnic interest and knowledge, and involvement in activities associated with the group (Phinney, 1990, 1995).”
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Bicultural Identity Integration (BII): Components and Psychosocial Antecedents
Benet‐Martínez, V., & Haritatos, J. (2005) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00337.x · Cited by 1,384 · see citing works
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Studying Ethnic-Racial Identity among White Youth: White Supremacy as a Developmental Context
Moffitt, U., & Rogers, L. O. (2022) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/jora.12762 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
“Based on the long history of white supremacy shaping U.S. society, as well as the writings of early ERI scholars (Phinney, 1996; Sellers, 1993), the answer to these questions is clearly “no.””
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- Authors
- Phinney, J. S.
- Affiliations
- California State University Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Phinney, Jean S.
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 1996-09
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 918-927
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W1963947469
- Cited by
- 1,147
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 52 · 2013: 69 · 2012: 55
- FWCI
- 113.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Cultural Identity and Representation
- Keywords
- ethnicity, ethnic identity, cultural values and norms, minority status, ethnic identity salience, ethnic classification, multidimensional construct, American ethnic groups
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