Social dominance orientation and ethnocentric bias: ingroup identification and group status differentials: Fid-Bau Portal

Social dominance orientation and ethnocentric bias: ingroup identification and group status differentials

Olonisakin, Tosin Tunrayo

In this study, social dominance orientation (SDO) was examined in relation to ethnocentric bias while ingroup identification and group status were tested as moderator variables. With a survey research design, data were collected via standardised psychological scales from a sample of 1050 participants drawn from majority and minority ethnic groups using a multistage sampling procedure. Findings showed that SDO was a significant positive predictor of ethnocentric bias. In addition, the predictive strength of SDO on ethnocentric bias was stronger for majority ethnic group. Also a preference for social hierarchy was associated with less devotion to one’s ingroup. Results further showed ingroup identification to be a moderator of the relationship between SDO and ethnocentric bias such that it reduces the strength of the relationship between the two variables. Likewise, ingroup identification was directly related to higher pro-ingroup and lower anti-outgroup attitudes. Going by the findings of this study, SDO proves to be a significant variable that consistently influences social/political attitudes. Equally, ingroup identification shows potential as a useful tool in brokering peaceful relations within a multi-ethnic setting in which interacting groups are competitive but interdependent. Findings were discussed within the tenets of extant literature and the social context of the study.