Chinese migrant worker; adaptation; cultural distance; cultural learning; psychological; sociocultural adaptation; stereotype formation; Adaptation, Psychological; China; Ethnicity; Humans; Montenegro; Transients and Migrants; Ethnic Groups; Pollution; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Abstract :
[en] Ethnic stereotypes are cognitive markers that are formed and modified because of intercultural contact with a new cultural group. There is now much empirical evidence that explicates how stereotypes of ethnic groups can impact individuals' acculturation experiences. However, what is unknown is how previously nonexistent ethnic beliefs are formed as a result of contact with the local culture. One hundred and seventy-four (N = 174) overseas Chinese construction workers were contacted through the Chinese Consulate in Montenegro and agreed to participate in the present study. The online questionnaire asked workers to describe Montenegrin majority members in terms of five characteristics. These traits formed the stereotype markers that were classified as positive, neutral, or negative. Sojourners also answered questions that measured perceived cultural distance, social exclusion, knowledge of Montenegrin culture, feelings of social exclusion, and their sociocultural adaptation. Results show that both positive and negative stereotypes are correlated with less social exclusion and better socio-cultural adaptation. Perceived cultural distance, knowledge of host culture and length of stay was mediated by stereotypes on adaptation outcomes. Interestingly longer sojourn did not lessen the type of stereotype, nor did it reduce cultural distance. Contribution to the stereotype literature and practical understanding of how Chinese sojourners see majority members will be discussed.
Disciplines :
Social, industrial & organizational psychology
Author, co-author :
English, Alexander S; Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Zhang, Xinyi; SISU Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai 200083, China
STANCIU, Adrian ; University of Luxembourg ; GESIS-Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, 200083 Mannheim, Germany
Kulich, Steve J; SISU Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai 200083, China
Zhao, Fuxia; SISU Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai 200083, China
Bojovic, Milica; SISU Intercultural Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai 200083, China
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Ethnic Stereotype Formation and Its Impact on Sojourner Adaptation: A Case of "Belt and Road" Chinese Migrant Workers in Montenegro.
Publication date :
10 September 2021
Journal title :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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