FIRST- AND SECOND-GENERATION ASSIMILATION AND PERCEPTION

Abstract

Reflected appraisal is a phenomenon in which people perceive the way others view their group, and how they take that view into consideration when forming views on themselves. Using the collective self-esteem (CSE) scale as a measure of reflected appraisal, prior research has found that ethnic and immigrant group had differences to the extent to which own-groups’ views (private regard) correspond with others’ views (public regard). However, not much research has focused on the factors that may influence the relationship between public and private regard. To address this gap in research, the current study explored how first and second-generation Latinx immigrants perceive the opinions of others and how those opinions are related to their own-group views. In addition, the current study examined whether the association between own group views and others’ views are dependent upon one’s level of assimilation. Using the CSE scale, 39 first- and second-generation Latinx evaluated the way their group was viewed (public regard), how they perceived their group (private regard), and their level of assimilation. Results showed no significant associations between public and private regard among both first- and second-generation immigrants. Moreover, this association was not dependent upon participant’s levels of assimilation. Implications for the theory of reflected appraisal are discussed.