Empathy towards people of different race and ethnicity: Further empirical evidence for the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy

The present study examined the generalizability of the factor pattern, structural parameters, and latent structure of a multidimensional hierarchical model of ethnocultural empathy in males and females. The Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE) (Wang et al., 2003) was administered to a sample of 610 Italian undergraduates to examine the generalizability and reliability of its factor structure across gender, the psychometric properties and the validity of the scale. Two models were tested through multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA): a confirmatory factor-analytic model that hypothesized a multidimensional model of ethnocultural empathy; and a structural equation model that proposed a multidimensional, hierarchical structure with global ethnocultural empathy as a superordinate construct that explained the covariances among the subdomains of the SEE. Both models satisfied multiple criteria for goodness-of-fit with the data. Full metric invariance of factor loadings and factor covariances, and partial invariance of error variances across gender for the four-factors model were supported. Scale reliability was also satisfactory, showing good internal consistency. As regard scale validity, evidence was found for a positive moderate association with a measure of general empathy and a negative high association with a measure of prejudice. Implications are discussed.     

Differential item functioning of the Acculturation,Habits, and Interests Multicultural Scale for Adolescents (AHIMSA) by race/ethnicity

BackgroundAcculturation is a complex multidimensional construct that plays an important role in various outcomes across many domains (e.g., psychological, behavioral, social, and developmental). While there are many acculturation measures for specific racial/ethnic groups, few multigroup measures exists. Even fewer have been psychometrically evaluated for differential item functioning (DIF; e.g., measurement invariance). This is a critical step in determining whether item properties are equivalent across groups and thus, whether scores obtained from different groups are in fact comparable.MethodsThe Acculturation, Habits, and Interests, Multicultural Scale for Adolescents (AHIMSA) was completed by first and second generation participants identifying as White, Hispanic, or Asian (n = 1399). The scale can be used to compute scores on four acculturation orientation subscales: Assimilated, Separated, Integrated, and Marginalized. Racial/ethnic DIF was evaluated for the Assimilation, Integration, and Separation subscales.ResultsAnalyses revealed racial/ethnic DIF was present for two items on the Separation scale based on McFadden’s pseudo R². No DIF was identified for the Assimilation and Integration scales. Supplemental analyses revealed no evidence of longitudinal DIF or by generation status and some DIF by sex for Assimilation and Integration. Based on evaluation of test characteristic curves and DIF plots, it was determined that DIF was trivial and could likely be ignored.ConclusionsPsychometric properties were generally equivalent across the three racial/ethnic groups for each of the subscales evaluated. This indicates that scores obtained from each subscale could be compared across racial/ethnic groups. By establishing cross-group usability of the scale, racial/ethnic differences in acculturation orientation can be examined, and, more importantly, used in the context of research on related mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes.     

“庚寅年祭拜儒商始祖子贡大典”暨“全国首届子贡文化高峰论坛”在浚县举行

<正>2010年2月27日,作为河南鹤壁民俗文化节的重要组成部分——"庚寅年祭拜儒商始祖子贡大典"在河南浚县文庙举行,出席"全国首届子贡文化高峰论坛"的专家学者、子贡后裔和商企代表400多人参加祭拜大典。原河南省人大常委会副主任贾连朝、鹤壁市政协副主席冯用全、河南省社科院副院长刘道兴、全     

The concept of ethnicity in social psychological research: Definitional issues

Although ethnicity frequently features in current quantitative social psychology, it is rarely theorised. This paper starts by reviewing how ethnicity has been conceptualised in other social sciences. A working definition of ethnicity is provided, and an argument for moderate constructivism is advanced. Then, it is discussed how ethnicity has been treated in some of the major traditions in quantitative social psychology, and problems arising from this are highlighted. Firstly, the way ethnicity is discussed in much psychological work leads to a terminological confusion. Secondly, an overly strong focus on generic identity processes prevalent among some social identity researchers bears the danger of excluding a range of important phenomena related to ethnicity from scientific observation. Thirdly, the way in which ethnicity is conceptualised in much of quantitative social psychology (as evinced by psychological theorising, writing, and methodological choices) is incompatible with the notion of ethnicity as constructed. Ignoring the constructed nature of ethnicity has negative consequences for our ability to interpret research findings, for the well-being of participants, and it can have negative ethical and political implications. Practical steps that might be taken in order to avoid these perils in future research are discussed.     

Modes of victim blaming in a case of stabbing: Victim and offender ethnicity and observer ethnicity and religious affiliation

This study examined the effects of ethnicity on victim-blaming in a case of stabbing by addressing victim and offender ethnicity as well as observer ethnicity and religion. Jewish (n = 285), Muslim Arab (n = 249), and Christian Arab (n = 51) students from Israeli universities and colleges read a single stabbing scenario, in which we manipulated victim (Arab/Jewish) and offender ethnicity (African/Arab/Jewish). The results showed that participants blamed a Jewish victim more than an Arab victim. Also, our findings indicated that Christian Arabs expressed significantly higher victim-blaming than Jews. However, victim-blaming among Christian Arabs did not significantly differ from victim-blaming among Muslim Arabs, and victim-blaming among Muslim Arabs did not significantly differ from victim-blaming among Jews. Furthermore, the interactions between observer and victim ethnicity and between observer and offender ethnicity were significant. The discussion addresses the findings in the context of prejudice against members of African and Arab communities, the black sheep effect, and defensive attribution. In addition, the discussion suggests that observer ethnic and religious background may be related to blame-attribution mode: fixed (not affected by victim and offender ethnicity) or modular (affected by victim and offender ethnicity). From the practical standpoint, our findings suggest a need for further education on prejudice against minorities and promoting ethnic diversity among practitioners assisting and treating victims.