Ethnic Identification, Interethnic Contact, and Belief in Integration

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Abstract
This paper analyzes some factors related to ambivalence toward ethnic integration among a segment of white liberals. Drawing from the sociological literature on ethnic identification, interethnic contact, ethnocentrism, and the cosmopolitan-local typology, we test and find support for several hypotheses. Tests are based on interviews with members of an organization which supports civil rights and whose members, Protestants and Jews, are well above national mean ranks in education, occupation, and income. Attitudes toward six interethnic situations are examined. We suggest that when status concerns and central values of ethnic groups are threatened, people will be ambivalent about integration. We find “localistic embeddedness” to be a major correlate of ambivalence. Further research on samples of different ethnic groups is indicated, with investigation into degree of ethnic indentification among members and their interactions within and outside the ethnic community.

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