Uncovering the Impact of Interculturalism versus Multiculturalism Ideologies in Diversity Policy on Students’ Experience of Inclusion, Intergroup Relations and Diversity Attitudes

Pool, Machteld, E. M. (2022) Uncovering the Impact of Interculturalism versus Multiculturalism Ideologies in Diversity Policy on Students’ Experience of Inclusion, Intergroup Relations and Diversity Attitudes. Master thesis, Psychology.

Text Masterthesis_E.M.Pool_s3662225.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (399kB)

Abstract

Generally, universities attempt to create a more inclusive climate for all students. A diversity policy text is a strategy aimed to promote inclusion, but little is known about how different diversity policy texts impact students’ experience of inclusion, intergroup relations and diversity attitudes. Two major ideologies that can be embedded in a diversity policy text are compared in this study: Interculturalism and multiculturalism. While multiculturalism at its core is about celebrating differences, interculturalism focusses on tolerance and open dialogue. The participants of this study (N = 290) were students at the University of Groningen. They read a fabricated diversity policy text reflecting interculturalism, multiculturalism or no diversity ideology (control). Subsequently, they indicated their experienced inclusion, school climate, pro-diversity attitudes and negative intergroup contact. The results showed no significant differences between the three conditions on the outcome measures. This could possibly be due to the manipulation of the fabricated diversity policy text not working properly or a social desirability bias in the results. Interestingly, explorative analyses revealed that international students’ perceived dissimilarity from other students is related to more negative ratings of inclusion, school climate and pro-diversity attitudes. Future research is needed in order to investigate how a diversity policy can optimally promote inclusion, intergroup relations and diversity attitudes.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Huis, M.A.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2022 11:55
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2022 11:55
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/976

Actions (login required)

View Item