Week 9 Exam Notes: Immigration, Acculturation, and Place Identity PDF

**Week 9 Exam Notes: Immigration, Acculturation, and Place Identity** **Place Identity** **Definition of Place Identity:** - A person\'s sense of self is defined not just by relationships with others but also by their relationship with physical settings (homes, neighborhoods, etc.). -...

**Week 9 Exam Notes: Immigration, Acculturation, and Place Identity** **Place Identity** **Definition of Place Identity:** - A person\'s sense of self is defined not just by relationships with others but also by their relationship with physical settings (homes, neighborhoods, etc.). - It includes the meaning and significance people assign to specific places in their lives. **Key Concepts:** - **Place:** A dwelling, position, or location that serves as an anchor for personal or group identity, fulfilling needs and symbolizing meaning. - **Place Identity:** A subjective sense of identification with a place, which can contribute to a person\'s broader self-concept. **Place Attachment:** - A sense of belonging and positive emotional connections to a place, shaped through interactions and experiences. - It goes beyond cognitive preferences; it is rooted in emotional bonds with a place. **How Place Identity Develops:** - Begins in childhood and evolves through life stages. - It is shaped by memories, experiences, and social norms. - Strongly influenced by relationships with people more than by the physical setting itself. - Attachment can develop slowly through positive experiences but may be hindered by conflict, rejection, or frequent relocation. **Advantages of Place Identity:** 1. Resilience in the face of disasters (e.g., rebuilding after natural disasters). 2. Increased pro-environmental behavior. 3. Attachment to a place may resist changes or improvements in the area. 4. Can influence one\'s well-being and self-concept. **Disadvantages of Place Identity:** 1. A strong attachment can compromise well-being if the place is destroyed or negatively impacted. 2. Change or displacement from the place may undermine one\'s sense of identity and belonging. **Example Study - Chow & Healy (2008):** - Studied first-time university students in England. - Found that students initially identified strongly with their home, but over time, they developed a sense of attachment to the university. - The transition to university led to new place identities, shaped by social relationships and the university\'s status. **Social Identity Theory (SIT)** **SIT Definition:** - A person\'s sense of identity is shaped by group memberships. - To maintain positive self-esteem, people view their groups positively. - **Ingroup Favoritism:** Preference for one's own group. - **Outgroup Bias:** Negative attitudes towards groups they do not belong to. **Place and Social Identity:** - Place can contribute to positive social identity. People are more likely to feel pride and belonging to places that align with their values and provide a sense of well-being. - The stronger the identification with a place, the less likely individuals are to notice its negative characteristics. **Study - Marcouyeux & Fleury-Bahi (2011):** - Studied 7th-grade students' place identity in a high school. - Found that the stronger students\' identification with the school, the more positive their evaluation of the school. - A strong group identity was positively correlated with a higher evaluation of the place. **Immigration** **Definition of Immigration:** - The intentional movement of people to a new country or region for settlement, often for an extended period of time. **Immigration Statistics:** - As of 2020, there are 281 million migrants worldwide, with 7.6 million migrants living in Australia. - Around 1/3 of people are migrants globally. **Types of Immigrants:** 1. **Immigrants:** People who move permanently or long-term to a new country. 2. **Refugees:** Individuals fleeing persecution or danger in their home countries. 3. **Asylum Seekers:** People seeking protection and asylum in another country due to fear of persecution. **Acculturation Strategies** **Definition of Acculturation:** - The process by which individuals or groups from different cultures come into contact and adapt to one another\'s cultural patterns. - Acculturation occurs after migration and involves changes in cultural practices, values, and identity. **Top 4 Acculturation Strategies:** 1. **Attitudes:** Positive or negative views towards the host and home cultures. 2. **Social Norms:** Cultural norms and policies that affect integration or separation. 3. **Personal Resources:** Language skills, flexibility, and social support. 4. **Environmental Constraints:** Host country's acceptance and resources available. **Acculturation Strategies:** 1. **Assimilation:** - **Rejection of home culture** and adoption of the host culture. - Interaction mostly with host country members. - Migrants who assimilate are flexible, speak the language, and have social support. - **\"Melting Pot\" Policy:** A belief that immigrants should blend into the host culture. 2. **Integration:** - Maintaining one\'s **home culture** while interacting and participating in the host culture. - **Most common acculturation strategy.** - Migrants feel connected to both their home country and the host country. - Positive attitudes towards both cultures and the ability to adapt. - **Integration model**: Positive relationships and resources from both cultures. 3. **Separation:** - **Rejection of host culture**, preference for maintaining home culture. - Limited contact with members of the host culture. - Migrants face challenges like lack of language skills, resources, and discrimination. - **Second most common strategy**. 4. **Marginalization:** - **Rejection of both home and host cultures**. - Least popular strategy. - Migrants feel isolated, lack language skills, and face high levels of discrimination. **Social Norms and Acculturation:** - **Multiculturalism** promotes **integration**. - **\"Melting pot\" policies** encourage **assimilation**. - **Segregation** encourages **separation**. - **Exclusion** leads to **marginalization**. **Study - Tartakovsky (2012):** - Found that positive attitudes towards both home and host countries, along with social support and a lack of discrimination, are key to successful integration acculturation strategies. **Acculturation Adaptation** **Definition of Adaptation:** - Psychological well-being and sociocultural adjustment resulting from the acculturation process. **Types of Adaptation:** 1. **Cognitive:** Changes in identity and sense of belonging. 2. **Affective:** Psychological well-being, life satisfaction. 3. **Behavioral:** Skills needed to participate in the host culture (e.g., learning the language, cultural norms). **Immigrant Paradox** **Concept:** - New immigrants often outperform established immigrants and even non-immigrants in: 1. Health 2. Education 3. Conduct 4. Crime-related outcomes **Why?** - Newer immigrants are often more educated, wealthier, and better behaved. - Exposure to discrimination can affect their behaviors and attitudes negatively over time. **Acculturation and Identity** **Study - Cardenas & De La Sablonnière (2017):** - Examined Latin American immigrants in Canada. - Participation in the host country\'s activities (culture, work, education) leads to integration into the new identity. - Non-voluntary migration or incongruence between home and host cultures hinders integration. **Biculturalism** **Definition:** - The coexistence of two cultural identities within an individual. - Involves endorsing at least one heritage culture and one receiving culture. **Four Models of Biculturalism:** 1. **Exploration:** Active participation in cultural events and identity exploration. 2. **Alternating:** Switching between cultural identities depending on the situation (e.g., family vs. work settings). 3. **Integration:** Combining elements of both cultural identities into a cohesive sense of self. 4. **Hybridizing:** Creating a new, unique cultural identity by blending aspects of both cultures. **Key Takeaways:** - **Place Identity** involves emotional connections and meanings assigned to specific places, influencing self-concept and social identity. - **Acculturation** strategies (assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization) depend on attitudes toward the host and home cultures, resources, and social support. - **Adaptation** is a result of acculturation, involving changes in identity, well-being, and cultural participation. - Immigrants' acculturation outcomes are influenced by social norms, immigration policies, and personal resources (language skills, social support). 4o mini