Abstract
Using a sample of Latino college students, I examine how ethnic identity achievement (i.e., a stable and secure understanding of one’s ethnic group derived from an exploration of the meanings of one’s ethnic identity), ethnic identity verification, and group-specific self-worth conjointly influence four group attitudes: ingroup attitudes and three outgroup attitudes (attitudes towards Whites, Asians, and African Americans). The results indicate that an achieved ethnic identity is associated with lower levels of negative attitudes toward one’s ingroup and the three outgroups. Specifically, ethnic identity achievement was directly associated with lower negative ingroup and outgroup attitudes. In addition, ethnic identity achievement and identity verification both enhanced group-specific self-worth, which was associated with lower negative ingroup and outgroup attitudes. This study extends the literature on intergroup attitudes by highlighting the importance of how ethnic identity is conceptualized and measured, as well as the roles played by identity verification and group-specific self-worth.