Ethnic identity, racial attitudes, and perceptions of discrimination amongst students at the University of the Free State

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Date
2006-11
Authors
Mentz, Melody
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Article one: The legacy of apartheid continues to pervade society on numerous levels and thus it remains imperative to study issues pertaining to discrimination, ethnicity and race. This study examines the relationship between ethnic identity and perceptions of discrimination amongst students from four groups (white Afrikaans speaking, white English speaking, Sotho language group and Nguni language group) on the main campus of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Data were collected from 397 psychology students by making use of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure and the General Ethnic Discrimination Scale. Statistically significant differences were found between the language groupings in terms the levels of discrimination they perceived to experience, but not in terms of their strength of ethnic identity. A significant positive relationship was found between ethnic identity and perceptions of discrimination. Article two: Given the racial history of South Africa and the inevitability of racial categories that must now be employed to address the inequalities created by apartheid, it remains imperative to study issues of ethnic identity and racial intolerance. This study examines the relationship between ethnic identity and racial intolerance amongst students from four ethnic groups (white Afrikaans speaking, white English speaking, SeSotho language group and Nguni language group) on the main campus of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Data were collected from 397 psychology students by making use of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure and the Subtle Racism Scale. Statistically significant differences were found between the language groupings in terms of their racial tolerance, but not in terms of the strength of their ethnic identity. A significant positive relationship was found between ethnic identity and racial intolerance.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Com. (Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2006, Discrimination in higher education -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein, College students -- Race relations, Race awareness, Identity (Psychology)
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