Relationship between Critical Consciousness and Multiculturalism? A comparison across four countries

Multiculturalism Ideology (MCI) describes the “appreciation of the value of cultural diversity for a society, and a need for mutual acceptance and accommodation that promotes equitable participation” (Berry, 2016, p. 416f). The aim of the present study was to explore if and how diversity-related attitudes and the perception of less privileged members of society are linked and thus contribute to the growing body of research on social inequity awareness. Whilst some studies have focused on MCI and minority rights, awareness of structural discrimination and lowering prejudice, few have focused specifically on Critical Consciousness (CC), the reflection about inequalities in society and action taken to address them. Components of CC include Critical Reflection (Perceived Inequality and Egalitarianism), Political Efficacy (Internal and External), and Critical Action (Sociopolitical Participation).
The present study draws on a quantitative design. An online questionnaire was launched in four countries, France, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, which differ in their approaches in dealing with diversity. Measures included the Critical Consciousness Scale, the Political Efficacy Short Scale with the subscales regarding internal and external political efficacy and the Multicultural Ideology Scale (MCI). The questionnaire was made available in English, French and German. The total sample comprised 120 participants (68.2% female, Mage = 26.40, SDage = 9.71).
Results indicate that MCI was highly positively correlated with Perceived Inequality and Egalitarianism and negatively with External Political Efficacy. Mean scores for CC components and MCI did not statistically differ across the four countries, while the correlation patterns between CC components and MCI were different.
This finding suggests that CC may develop quite independently of cultural influences, as perception of unequal treatment and status differences between groups is an issue prevalent in all societies. More detailed results and implications as well as limitations of the present study will be discussed.