Group identification and self-esteem among members of a non-ethnic minority group: The case of deaf people.
Item
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Title
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Group identification and self-esteem among members of a non-ethnic minority group: The case of deaf people.
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Identifier
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AAI9218220
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identifier
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9218220
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Creator
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Bat-Chava, Yael.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Kay Deaux
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Date
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1992
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Social
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Abstract
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This study examined the effect of group identity on self-esteem in deaf adults. Social Identity Theory (Tajfel, 1981) posits that to maintain high self-esteem, members of minority groups may either identify with their group, or leave the group and identify with the majority. The theory predicts that both type of members will have comparable levels of self-esteem. Crocker and Major (1989), on the other hand, suggest that people with higher levels of group identity will have higher self-esteem.;Two studies were conducted to test these predictions. In the first study, 267 deaf adults completed a short questionnaire measuring their group identity, self-esteem, attitudes toward deaf people, and the level of deafness to which they were exposed in childhood. In the second study in-depth interviews were conducted with a subsample of 47 individuals, measuring similar constructs.;Results from the questionnaire study failed to support Crocker and Major's model as stated, and suggested that rather than mediation, moderation may better explain the relationships among the variables. Specifically, the interaction of deafness orientation (both in the family and school) with group identification had a positive effect on self-esteem, although each of these variables did not have an effect by itself. In addition, ingroup comparisons and the importance of clear speech each interacted with group identification to produce varying levels of self-esteem.;Other results supported Social Identity Theory and failed to support Crocker and Major's model. Individuals who strongly identified with the deaf community and those who did not had comparable levels of self-esteem. In addition, the interview study indicated that self-esteem was positively associated with higher levels of integration in the mainstream, rather than with higher group identification.;Taken together, these results paint a complex picture of the relationship between group identity and self-esteem. They suggest that both Social Identity Theory and Crocker and Major's model would need to be revised. In addition, they point to the need to consider the characteristics of different groups and to study these groups in their ecological context.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
