TY - JOUR
T1 - The Language of Acceptance
T2 - Spanish Proficiency and Perceived Intragroup Rejection Among Latinos
AU - Sanchez, Diana T.
AU - Chavez, George
AU - Good, Jessica J.
AU - Wilton, Leigh S.
N1 - Funding Information: This material is based in part upon work supported by a National Science Foundation Grant (BCS 1048324) awarded to the first author. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendation expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
PY - 2012/8
Y1 - 2012/8
N2 - The present study examines perceived acceptance from one's ingroup (i.e., intragroup acceptance) and collective self-esteem among Latinos as a function of Spanish proficiency. Using a correlational design, Study 1 demonstrates that Latinos' (n = 53) Spanish-speaking inability is associated with lower private regard, membership, and less felt similarity to other Latinos, which was explained in part by greater perceptions of intragroup rejection. Moreover, Study 1 results were not moderated by overall Latino identification. Utilizing an experimental design, Study 2 demonstrates that non-Spanish-speaking Latinos (n = 40) put in a situation wherein they must disclose their inability to speak Spanish to another Latino were less likely to categorize themselves as Latinos, reported lower collective self-esteem, and reported less connectedness to other Latinos. These findings are discussed within a broader model of intragroup acceptance and identification, whereby cultural practices serve as markers of credibility that aid in felt acceptance within ethnic minority communities. Implications for acculturation are discussed.
AB - The present study examines perceived acceptance from one's ingroup (i.e., intragroup acceptance) and collective self-esteem among Latinos as a function of Spanish proficiency. Using a correlational design, Study 1 demonstrates that Latinos' (n = 53) Spanish-speaking inability is associated with lower private regard, membership, and less felt similarity to other Latinos, which was explained in part by greater perceptions of intragroup rejection. Moreover, Study 1 results were not moderated by overall Latino identification. Utilizing an experimental design, Study 2 demonstrates that non-Spanish-speaking Latinos (n = 40) put in a situation wherein they must disclose their inability to speak Spanish to another Latino were less likely to categorize themselves as Latinos, reported lower collective self-esteem, and reported less connectedness to other Latinos. These findings are discussed within a broader model of intragroup acceptance and identification, whereby cultural practices serve as markers of credibility that aid in felt acceptance within ethnic minority communities. Implications for acculturation are discussed.
KW - Latinos/Hispanics
KW - bilingualism
KW - intragroup acceptance
KW - social identity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863504604&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84863504604&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022111416979
DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022111416979
M3 - Article
VL - 43
SP - 1019
EP - 1033
JO - Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
JF - Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
SN - 0022-0221
IS - 6
ER -