Mutual Intercultural Relations in Plural Societies

John W. Berry Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

National Research University, Higher School of Economics

Moscow, Russia

Introduction

• This symposium is concerned with advancing research on intercultural relations, and applying this knowledge to public policy in culturally plural societies.

• Equality among all cultural groups is essential if positive intercultural relations and mutual accommodation are to be achieved.

• Both diversity and equality are essential if successful intercultural relations are to be achieved.

Introduction

• These issues are being addressed in a study “Mutual Intercultural Relations in Plural Societies” (MIRIPS)

• The MIRPS project is being carried out in over 20 societies, with a variety of cultural groups who are engaged in intercultural relations.

• The project website may be found at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/cacr/research/mirips

Introduction to the MIRIPS Project:From Policy to Research and Back

The quality of intercultural relations is now an important feature of all culturally plural countries.

Policies to improve the mutual acceptance of all cultural communities by all residents may be improved by carrying out research on this issue, and by sharing it with policy makers and the general public.

The MIRIPS project is designed to provide such research.

Canadian Multiculturalism Policy*The project began with an analysis of some of the key assumptions that were articulated in the 1971 Canadian Policy of Multiculturalism.

*This “policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework” was designed to improve the quality of intercultural relations among all cultural communities within the plural Canadian society.

*The policy goal, the three programme components, and the links among them are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Canadian Multiculturalism Policy (adapted from Berry, 1984)

Introduction: Policy Goal

The clear and fundamental goal of the policy is to enhance mutual acceptance among all ethnocultural groups (on the upper right).

This goal is to be approached through three programme components:1.Cultural component 2.Intercultural component3.Communication component

1. Cultural Component

*The first programme component of the policy is the cultural component (upper left).

*This cultural component is to be achieved by providing support to and encouragement for cultural maintenance and development among all ethnocultural groups.

*This programme is designed to ensure the continuing cultural diversity of the population

2. Intercultural Component

*The second programme component is the intercultural component ( lower left).

*It seeks to foster the sharing of cultural expression by providing opportunities for intergroup contact and the removal of barriers to full and equitable participation in the daily life of the larger society.

*This component is designed to prevent the isolation of cultural communities from others, and to ensure equity among the cultural communities.

3. Communications Component

*The third programme component is the intercultural communication component (in the lower right corner).

*This represents the bilingual reality of the larger society of Canada.

* The programme promotes the learning of one or both official languages (English and French) as a means for all ethnocultural groups to interact with each other and to participate in national life.

Links Among MC Policy Components*These components may be seen as being linked to each other.

*These links give rise to three hypotheses:

1.Across the top is the multiculturalism hypothesis

2.Down the left side is the Integration hypothesis

3.Diagonally from lower left to upper right is the contact hypothesis

1. Multiculturalism Hypothesis*The multiculturalism hypothesis proposes that if individuals feel secure in their group’s and personal place in society (with respect to their cultural identity and their economic situation), they will be more accepting of those who differ from themselves.

*Conversely, if they feel culturally, economically or personally threatened, they will reject others who are different.

2. Integration Hypothesis*The integration hypothesis proposes that individuals will feel well (psychologically) and do well (socioculturally), and relate well (interculturally) if they are engaged in both their own culture and that of the larger society.

*In contrast, if individuals adopt a strategy of being engaged in only one or the other culture (by way of assimilation or separation), or if they engage in neither culture marginalization), they will have poorer adaptation.

3. Contact Hypothesis

*The contact hypothesis proposes that individuals will be more accepting of others if they engage in contact with them.

*However, these improvements in mutual acceptance may take place only under certain conditions, such as when contact is voluntary, is of equal status, and when promoted by shared norms or by public policy.

MIRIPS Project Goal*The MIRIPS project is designed to provide evaluation of these three hypotheses, and the relationships among them.*Such research may be used to improve intercultural relations by developing policies and programmes.* The hypotheses are derived from multiculturalism policy, then are subjected to research, and then findings may provide feedback to evaluate, and improve intercultural policies.

Figure 2General Framework for MIRIPS Project

MIRIPS Project Variables: *As is usual in cross-cultural and intercultural research in psychology, the MIRIPS project examines both the cultural contexts and the behaviours of individuals. *These variables are assessed in all groups in contact: the larger society; and members of ethnocultural communities. -the nature of their intercultural interactions, and -the resultant cultural changes in both groups.

MIRIPS Context Variables:

On the left of Figure 2 are the context variables :

- features of the two [or more ] cultures in contact

- the nature of their intercultural interactions, and

- the resultant cultural changes in both groups.

MIRIPS Psychological Variables: On the right are the psychological variables:

- behaviours: ethnicity; cultural identities, and social contacts (ethnic, national); security (cultural, economic, personal);

- acculturative stress: difficulties in dealing with the challenges of intercultural living

- acculturation strategies of non-dominant group members: integration; assimilation; separation, and marginalisation.

-acculturation expectations of dominant group members: multiculturalism; melting pot; segregation; exclusion.

MIRIPS Variables: Adaptation

• psychological adaptation: self esteem; life satisfaction; psychological problems• sociocultural adaptation: sociocultural competence in everyday living• Intercultural adaptation: prejudice/tolerance; multicultural ideology; discrimination, ethnic attitudes

MIRIPS Project: Policy OutcomesThe MIRIPS project evaluates these three hypotheses in order to discover the conditions (historical, cultural, political) under which they are valid.

*The MIRIPS project is intended to provide a wider examination of the evidence, across many societies, and many different kinds of ethnocultural groups.

*If they are found to be generally valid, they may be useful to develop policies and programmes to improve intercultural relations.