Intercultural relations in plural societies

Canadian Psychology, Feb 1999 by Berry, JW

The link between public policy and attitudes in the population is probably bi-directional. No policy is likely to succeed if it is greeted by widespread popular rejection among either the dominant or non-dominant groups in a society. Hence, policy should be conceived and implemented so that there is a reasonable match with prevailing public views. However, public policy can also "lead" in the sense that it may intend to change attitudes in its policy domain. Only research conducted over time can discern an initial match between public policy and public attitudes, and then observe changes in attitudes that either increase or decrease the match. The research summarized here has sought to understand this link between public policy and attitudes and behaviours, guided by the two research traditions of acculturation and ethnic relations. I hope that I have been able to convince you (and perhaps Professor Hebb) that such research is both proper, and fundamental to the discipline of psychology.

This text is based on a talk presented for "CPA Donald O. Hebb Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Science," Edmonton, June 4-6, 1998. I wish to acknowledge the general program support of SSHRCC over many years, and of the Canadian Ethnic Studies Committee (of the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism) for the national surveys. I also thank Rudy Kalin for his collaboration and contribution to these national surveys. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to J.W. Berry, Psychology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.

Resume

Le theme general de cet article consiste a determiner comment des gens aux antecedents culturels nombreux et divers peuvent en arriver a cohabiter harmonieusement dans des societes aux multiples cultures. Le probleme central pour les psychologues est d'etablir comment la recherche psychologique (theorie et donnees) pourrait contribuer a repondre a cette question, voire a influencer la politique publique dans ce domaine. Au fil des annees, j'ai tente de relier deux traditions de recherche portant sur cet element central. La premiere est l'etude de l'acculturation, qui tire son origine de l'anthropologie culturelle et designe le changement culturel qui se produit lorsqu'au moins deux groupes culturels entrent en contact; elle est presente dans les deux groupes, mais generalement moins prononcee chez l'un d'eux (le groupe dominant). L'etude porte aussi sur les aspects psychologiques: en effet, l'acculturation psychologique est le changement que vivent les individus parce qu'ils font partie de groupes culturels subissant une acculturation collective.

La seconde tradition de recherche est celle des relations ethniques et tente de comprendre comment les individus percoivent, evaluent et vivent leurs comportements mutuels, a la fois dans un groupe ethnique et parmi plusieurs de ces groupes. Dans l'ensemble, ces concepts et leurs donnees empiriques peuvent contribuer a la comprehension et a la gestion des relations interculturelles dans les societes a multiples cultures.