Article Version of Record

More similarity if different, more difference if similar: Assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism, and generalized and specific negative intergroup bias

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Batkhina, Anastasia
Berry, John W.
Jurcik, Tomas
Dubrov, Dmitrii
Grigoryev, Dmitry

Abstract / Description

The creation of a social climate where all ethnic groups can harmoniously coexist is a central challenge for many countries today. Should we emphasize similarities and common ground or, conversely, recognize that there are important differences between groups? The current study examined relations between diversity ideologies (assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism) and generalized and specific intergroup bias (against Chechens, Belarusians, Uzbeks, Chinese, and Jews and Muslims) among ethnic Russians (N = 701). In Study 1, colorblindness (ignoring differences) and polyculturalism (emphasizing interconnectivity) were associated with lower generalized intergroup bias and lower bias against Chechens, Uzbeks, and Chinese, but not Belarusians. Bias against Belarusians was lower among those who endorsed multiculturalism (emphasizing differences). In Study 2, multiculturalism was associated with higher implicit bias when the target was a Chechen but in general more proximal variables (positive or negative contact experience and perceived group similarity) were more robust predictors of intergroup bias than diversity ideologies. In Study 3, colorblindness and polyculturalism were related to lower levels of fearful attitudes against Muslims. Colorblindness was also associated with lower levels of Antisemitism in contrast to multiculturalism that had an opposite association. We place these results in the context of cultural distance and existing cultural stereotypes about different groups among the majority of Russians. The strengths and weaknesses of each diversity ideology for the mainstream cultural group are discussed. The results of the current study suggest that the most fruitful strategy for mainstream cultural groups for maintaining harmonious intergroup relations in diverse societies might be that of optimal distinctiveness.

Keyword(s)

diversity ideologies assimilation colorblindness multiculturalism polyculturalism intergroup bias

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2022-11-30

Journal title

Europe's Journal of Psychology

Volume

18

Issue

4

Page numbers

369–390

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Batkhina, A., Berry, J. W., Jurcik, T., Dubrov, D., & Grigoryev, D. (2022). More similarity if different, more difference if similar: Assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism, and generalized and specific negative intergroup bias. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 18(4), 369-390. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.3715
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Batkhina, Anastasia
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Berry, John W.
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Jurcik, Tomas
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Dubrov, Dmitrii
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Grigoryev, Dmitry
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2023-01-23T14:06:35Z
  • Made available on
    2023-01-23T14:06:35Z
  • Date of first publication
    2022-11-30
  • Abstract / Description
    The creation of a social climate where all ethnic groups can harmoniously coexist is a central challenge for many countries today. Should we emphasize similarities and common ground or, conversely, recognize that there are important differences between groups? The current study examined relations between diversity ideologies (assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism) and generalized and specific intergroup bias (against Chechens, Belarusians, Uzbeks, Chinese, and Jews and Muslims) among ethnic Russians (N = 701). In Study 1, colorblindness (ignoring differences) and polyculturalism (emphasizing interconnectivity) were associated with lower generalized intergroup bias and lower bias against Chechens, Uzbeks, and Chinese, but not Belarusians. Bias against Belarusians was lower among those who endorsed multiculturalism (emphasizing differences). In Study 2, multiculturalism was associated with higher implicit bias when the target was a Chechen but in general more proximal variables (positive or negative contact experience and perceived group similarity) were more robust predictors of intergroup bias than diversity ideologies. In Study 3, colorblindness and polyculturalism were related to lower levels of fearful attitudes against Muslims. Colorblindness was also associated with lower levels of Antisemitism in contrast to multiculturalism that had an opposite association. We place these results in the context of cultural distance and existing cultural stereotypes about different groups among the majority of Russians. The strengths and weaknesses of each diversity ideology for the mainstream cultural group are discussed. The results of the current study suggest that the most fruitful strategy for mainstream cultural groups for maintaining harmonious intergroup relations in diverse societies might be that of optimal distinctiveness.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Batkhina, A., Berry, J. W., Jurcik, T., Dubrov, D., & Grigoryev, D. (2022). More similarity if different, more difference if similar: Assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism, and generalized and specific negative intergroup bias. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 18(4), 369-390. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.3715
  • ISSN
    1841-0413
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/7934
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12393
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.3715
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5400
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.12170
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5400
  • Keyword(s)
    diversity ideologies
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    assimilation
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    colorblindness
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    multiculturalism
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    polyculturalism
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    intergroup bias
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    More similarity if different, more difference if similar: Assimilation, colorblindness, multiculturalism, polyculturalism, and generalized and specific negative intergroup bias
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    4
  • Journal title
    Europe's Journal of Psychology
  • Page numbers
    369–390
  • Volume
    18
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record
    en_US