Model Minority Internalization, Racial Identity, and Perceived Race Relations of Asian Americans

Background/Purpose: Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S. While Asian Americans (hereinafter AAs) made up less than 1% of the total U.S. population prior to 1965, in 2011, they comprised 5.8%. Despite this growing presence of AAs in the U.S., the group receives little attention and is portrayed as “model minorities” or “perpetual foreigners.” It is also unclear if individuals identify with the cohesive census label, “Asian American,” beyond government or official purposes. This study is part of a broader research effort to understand the role mainstream racial frameworks play in the lives of AAs. The current study aims to address the effects of the model minority framework on the ethno-racial identity of AAs and on their perceptions of race relations.

Method: The study used a nationally representative sample of 3,511 Asian adults in the U.S. from the 2012 Asian American Survey. First, an exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify a latent model minority framework. Next, a racial discrimination index was developed. Finally, models were estimated using logistic regressions. Dependent variables are the ethno-racial identity of AAs and AA perceptions of race relations. Independent variables are the internalization of the model minority framework and perceptions of racial discrimination. Covariates include demographic and SES variables.

Results: First, two model minority factors were identified. The Model Minority-Equality Measure (MM-Equality) indicates that AAs receive no preferential or discriminatory treatment when it comes to academic or work opportunities; whereas, the Model Minority-Success Measure (MM-Success) captures the extent to which success in various life domains is important. The study found that internalizing MM had no significant effect on the ethno-racial identity of AAs. Nonetheless, signs were in the expected direction; that is, individuals who internalized the MM image were less likely to identify in ethnic or pan-ethnic terms since AAs were considered exceptional minorities on par with Whites. On the other hand, the more individuals perceived discrimination against AAs a problem, the greater they tended to identify as ethnic or Asian American than just American (p<0.01). As for perceptions on race relations, higher perceived discrimination against AAs significantly harmed race relations with other minorities but not with Whites (p<0.001). Differences by ethnic groups were also examined.

Implications: Using nationally representative data, the study generates findings on both specific ethnic groups and AAs as a whole. While existing research provide rich information on specific Asian ethnic groups in the U.S., there is relatively little knowledge on AAs as a racial group. The study contributes to existing research by attempting to measure an abstract racial framework regarding AAs and by empirically examining its effects on racial identity and perceptions of race relations. Overall, the findings suggest both potentials for and hurdles to inter-group coalition building across minorities. Given current immigration trends and increased longevity of all groups, community organizers, practitioners, and policymakers should be prepared to provide culturally appropriate services to this population by understanding how they are perceived, both externally and internally, and what this means for bonding and bridging ethno-racial relations.