THE EFFECTS OF THE REJECTION IDENTIFICATION MODEL ON LATINO IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Previous research suggests that perceptions of rejection from the dominant racial group is associated with increased minority identification (Branscombe, Schmitt, & Harvey, 1999). This is known as the rejection identification model. Some research has investigated the rejection identification model among Latino immigrants. These studies have found a positive association between perceptions of rejection from Americans and Latino identification. In extending these ideas, the current study evaluated the causal relationship between rejection from Americans and three types of identification: American, Latino, and bicultural identification. In particular, the current study experimentally manipulated rejection from Americans and examined its effect on Latino, American, and bicultural identification among Latino immigrants. It was hypothesized that participants who are rejected will report higher levels of Latino identification in comparison to those that are not rejected. It was also hypothesized that those who are rejected will report lower levels of American and bicultural identification in comparison to a control group. The results found that both hypotheses were unsupported. However, exploratory analysis found an interaction between condition and immigrant generation for bicultural identification. The current study adds to research on this topic since it was one of the first studies to evaluate the causal relationship between rejection and identification.