The functions of ethnic identity: A New Mexico Hispanic example

This study explores the reasons for the choice of ethnic identity labels, using a New Mexico Hispanic population. The goal is to understand the specific functions of the identity labels that individuals choose. The results suggest that individuals select labels that they believe confer rewards, such as positive identity with family cultural heritage, and do not choose labels they think confer losses, such as those perceived to evoke negative ethnic stereotypes. Surprisingly, most participants used negative ethnic stereotyping to describe their own views of some members of their ethnic in-group. This negative stereotyping appears to serve the function of differentiation of the self from other in-group members who are perceived to attract negative stereotypes.