Identity and Tolerance: How Integrating Multiple Selves Can Be Beneficial for Interpersonal and Intergroup Relations

identity;tolerance;intergroup relations;identity integration;bicultural;Psychology;Social Sciences;Psychology

Huff, SarahMattis, Jacqueline Simone ;

University of Michigan

关键词: identity;    tolerance;    intergroup relations;    identity integration;    bicultural;    Psychology;    Social Sciences;    Psychology;   

Others  :  https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/145957/huffs_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: The Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship

【 摘 要 】

We live in a society that experiences increasing levels of diversity in multiple domains, including ethnicities, opinions, and values. As a result, individuals are more likely to encounter others who are different than they are, which can lead to intolerance. Tolerance can be defined as acceptance of others who have different opinions, backgrounds, or values. Previous work has largely focused on societal or contextual interventions targeted at increasing tolerance. The goal of this dissertation is to delve into the relationship among identities within individuals and tolerance between individuals. Specifically, I test the hypothesis that individuals with higher levels of identity integration—or those who perceive their different social identities as more blended and harmonious—will exhibit greater tolerance towards others holding different values and norms than their own. Chapter II examines this hypothesis using generalized identity integration (GII)—or perceived blendedness and harmony among one’s social identities, in general—as a predictor for increased interpersonal tolerance towards individuals who share contrasting opinions. In these studies, tolerance is measured as positive trait inferences of someone with a contrasting opinion. Chapter III uses a dyadic negotiation paradigm, where tolerance is measured using both positive trait inferences and points gained in the negotiation scenario. Finally, Chapter IV examines how bicultural identity integration (BII)—or perceived blendedness and harmony between one’s cultural identities—predicts intergroup tolerance when tolerance is measured by willingness to engage with outgroup members. In all three chapters, identity integration is measured using self-report scales. Results from Chapter II suggest that higher GII does in fact relate to greater interpersonal tolerance towards individuals withopposing opinions. In Chapter III, I find a positive relationship between GII and both individual and joint gains. Higher gains may signal greater trust and willingness to take the perspective of their negotiation partner. Finally, results from the studies in Chapter IV demonstrate a positive relationship between bicultural identity integration (BII) and intergroup tolerance, as well as provide evidence for a moderating effect of BII, such that having higher BII relates to more positive intergroup relations even in the presence of negative intergroup attitudes. In this dissertation, I have tested the relationship between identity integration and tolerance in multiple contexts. The results of this dissertation could have far-reaching implications for understanding how the psychological management of different identities can be leveraged to improve both interpersonal and intergroup relations. These studies provide a framework for interventions that aim to increase identity integration within individuals to promote greater tolerance in diverse situations, including more intractable conflicts, such as political orientation or religious beliefs.