Facet Analysis of Ethnic Identity: The Case of Israelis Residing in the United States

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Abstract
An attempt was made to define the facets of ethnic identity and to analyze its structure. Based on analysis of previous studies a systematic definition of ethnic identity in terms of its component facets was proposed, which facilitated the systematic construction of questionnaire items and the formulation of hypotheses regarding the relationship between the definitional framework and the empirical observations. Data were collected from a sample of 188 Israelis (65% male) residing in the United States of America for one year or more. Their average age was 34; about 50% of them had higher education, and 60% were born in Israel. The hypotheses were tested by means of Guttman's smallest space analysis and found correct. The structure obtained describing the universe of ethnic identity supports the hypotheses of the study. An empirical double-ordered system, a duplex structure, was obtained, reflecting the two basic facets of the definition. One facet describes the behavior modalities (influence, sense of identity, presenting oneself, and feeling) and the other facet describes the relevant social environments (American, Jewish, and Israeli).