The Relation of Cognitive Complexity to Ethnic Identity and Adjustment
Chang, Tai
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82263
Description
Title
The Relation of Cognitive Complexity to Ethnic Identity and Adjustment
Author(s)
Chang, Tai
Issue Date
1999
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Terence J.G.Tracey
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies
Language
eng
Abstract
I proposed that ethnic identity would be related to cognitive complexity with respect to the domain of ethnicity and race. I hypothesized that higher levels of ethnic identity achievement, which reflects how much individuals have thought about the meaning of their ethnicity in their lives (Phinney, 1992), would be related to increased levels of complexity. Complexity was conceptualized and assessed in two ways: (1) the number of distinct ways in which individuals view themselves in relating to own ethnic group members and dominant group members, and (2) the number of dimensions along which they view various ethnic and racial groups. Complexity, in turn, was hypothesized to be related to self-efficacy for relating to Asians and Whites, as well as more global measures of adjustment. Ethnic identity achievement was also hypothesized to be related to self-efficacy and adjustment. One hundred twenty-one Asian American university students participated in this study. The results did not support the hypothesized relation between ethnic identity achievement and complexity, although the correlation between ethnic identity achievement and complexity about ethnic and racial groups did approach significance. There was no support for the relation between complexity and self-efficacy or adjustment. Finally, the results revealed that ethnic identity achievement was associated with self-efficacy for relationships with Asians, as well as aspects of adjustment related specifically to ethnicity. However, ethnic identity achievement was not related to global measures of adjustment, such as global self-esteem and life satisfaction. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the relations among ethnic identity, cognitive complexity, and adjustment, as well as measurement and theoretical issues regarding the cognitive complexity construct.
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