title: Born in the USA: how immigrant generation shapes meritocracy and its relation to ethnic identity and collective action.
abstract: Endorsing meritocracy can make low-status group members more accepting of inequality. This study examined whether rejecting meritocracy is related to increased ethnic identification among Latino immigrants, and whether identity in turn is related to increased support for collective action. We hypothesize that these relationships depend upon immigrant generation. A survey was conducted with 184 first- and second-generation Latino immigrants in New York City. Second-generation Latinos endorsed meritocracy less than those in the first generation, at least in part because they perceived that other Americans viewed their group in a less positive light (i.e., lower public regard). Further, meritocracy was negatively linked to ethnic identity and, through it, support for collective action among the second generation. Among the first generation, meritocracy was not related to ethnic identity and was positively related to support for collective action. We discuss the implications of growing up near the bottom of the U.S. social hierarchy for ethnic identity and collective action.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628-0718, USA. swiley@tcnj.edu
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deaux
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagelskamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology; D009519:New York City; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012933:Social Identification; D014481:United States