2018/04/25 by Kay Deaux · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Racial and Ethnic Identity Research #Cultural Differences and Values
paper · doi:10.1177/0002716218754834
openalex publication_date 2018/04/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/25
Demographic changes and increasing diversity in the United States bring about changes in how people define themselves and how they categorize others. I describe three issues that are relevant to the labeling and self-definition of ethnic groups in U.S. society: (1) the creation and definition of identity categories, (2) the subjectivity of self-definition, and (3) the flexibility of identity expression. In each case, substantial research from social psychology and related disciplines supports a socially constructed definition and use of ethnic categories, wherein identities are subject to the influence of local and national norms and are amenable to change across situations and over time.