Exploring Prejudicial Ethnic Attitudes Among Young Malaysian Adults: A Case Study Of Malay And Chinese Students In A Public University
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Date
2014-02
Authors
Ng, Sen Fa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
This study attempts to model and explain ethnic attitudes among undergraduates in a
public university in Malaysia (n=1551) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and
Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Malaysia’s socio-historical background of ethnic
relations and theories that explain individual’s ethnic attitudes are introduced. The
research provides theoretical significance by suggesting new executable variables,
introducing multivariate framework situated in the Malaysia context. Various variables
and their operationalization such as upbringing backgrounds, psycho-social indicators
and their interplay in relation to ethnic attitudes were proposed. The proposed models
suggest that Malaysian young adults’ prejudiced attitudes are mainly driven by these
factors: 1) in-group cohesion to defend one’s self-interest, 2) frustration from perceived
deprivation and, 3) value-culture conflicts. Multi-group analysis supported
unconstrained model paths coefficients for Malays and Chinese students, indicates that
each group’s ethnic attitudes are qualitatively different. Group size is related to
willingness to befriend others of different ethnicity, Chinese and Malay respondents
reported significant resistance to multi-ethnic friendships. Conversely, minority groups
also reported significant egalitarian values. The insights engendered provide important
complementary understanding to other structural factors underlying ethnic relations in
Malaysia. (181 words).
Description
Keywords
Ethnic Attitudes , Malay And Chinese Students