A Componential Approach to Bicultural Self Identity: Influence of Culture on Ingroup Inclusiveness and Attitude

Abstract

Present study has adopted Ng, Yam, and Lai's (2007) model to test several theoretical predictions that the bicultural self identity (Chinese self and Western self) of Hong Kong Chinese would affect their ingroup inclusiveness (inclusion of Chinese Mainlanders as ingroup members), implicit attitude (Implicit Association Test of attitude toward Chinese Mainlanders) and explicit attitude (willingness to contact Chinese Mainlanders). It also examined the mechanism behind these effects. Participants were first asked to complete the Implicit Association Test on the computer, and then to answer a paper-and-pencil questionnaire that measured the remaining three constructs (bicultural self identity, ingroup inclusiveness and explicit attitude) and other demographic data. Based on a sample of 61 Hong Kong Chinese undergraduate students, results showed significant effects of bicultural self identity on both ingroup inclusiveness and explicit attitude but not on implicit attitude. To study the mechanism behind the effect of bicultural self identity on explicit attitude, mediation analysis was conducted and results showed that ingroup inclusiveness was the mediator. Overall, this study has contributed to the understanding of cultural influence on ingroup inclusiveness and attitude in an intergroup context.