Publication Date

Fall 2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Megumi Hosoda.

Subject Areas

Psychology, Social.; Psychology, Personality.; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies.

Abstract

One out of every four individuals residing in the U.S. lived in another country before moving to the U.S. Such an individual has to face acculturation. Research has consistently shown that immigrants differ in how they go about their acculturation. However, little is known about what acculturation strategies the majority group members believe immigrants should adopt in the host country. Therefore, the present study examines the host majority group members' (Euro-Americans) acculturation orientations toward two immigrant groups (Mexican and Japanese) on different life domains and identifies individual difference factors (e.g., social dominance orientation, social distance, and self-efficacy) that are related to each of the acculturation strategies differently. Data were collected from 128 respondents of Euro-American college students in the SF Bay Area, California. Results indicated that integrationism and individualism were the most preferred acculturation orientations endorsed by Euro-Americans towards both immigrant groups for both life domains. In contrast, exclusionism was the least preferred acculturation orientation followed by segregationism. In addition, the immigrant groups' country of origin (either Mexico or Japan) did not have a significant effect on the acculturation orientations endorsed by host majority group members. Social dominance orientation and social distance were significant determinants of each acculturation orientation.

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