Evidence that a simpático self-schema accounts for differences in the self-concepts and social behavior of Latinos versus Whites (and Blacks).
On the basis of the assumption that Latino Americans use a simpático self-schema more than White Americans do, the authors predicted that the effects of this difference would be evident in the participants' self-concepts and social behavior. As predicted, Studies 1 and 2 revealed that Latino participants reported significantly more simpático-related terms in their spontaneous self-concepts than did White participants. Complementing these findings, Study 3a revealed that the level of interactional involvement and the perceived quality of initial same-sex interactions was significantly enhanced by the presence of Latino dyad members. Study 3b tested the prediction that the content of the dyad members' thoughts and feelings would reveal a greater use of the simpático self-schema by the Latino participants. This prediction was confirmed, and follow-up analyses indicated that a simpático self-schema plays an important mediating role in the subjective experience and social behavior of Latino individuals.
Holloway
Renee A
RA
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0528, USA.
Waldrip
Amy M
AM
Ickes
William
W
D000293:Adolescent; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*