Multiethnic prejudice in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Background: With the return to relative peace in Northern Ireland, available demographicdata suggest that its population is growing in the sense of becoming increasingly diverse in line with the UK. However, there has been very little research on the social psychological implications of this growing diversity. One aspect of the implication of the growing diversity is prejudice. But past research had focused on Catholics and Protestants with little on the multiethnic dimension. In view of this gap, this research was directed at multiethnic prejudice in Northern Ireland.

Aims: To understand the extent of multiethnic prejudice in Northern Ireland in view of thegrowing diversity.

Research Design: The research broadly comprised four studies. The first, focused on aqualitative perspective with seven ethnic groups. It employed the simultaneous use of focus groups with sample sizes of 4-6 persons and Interpretative Phenomenological Analytical (IPA) approaches. The quantitative part had a total sample size of 417. In a cross-sectional design using a convenience sample method, Study two was an evaluation of intergroup relations based on Social Identity to understand its dimensionality in a multiethnic context. The third and fourth studies were focused on Blatant/Subtle Prejudice and Social Distance as measures of the prevalence of ethnic prejudice respectively. These studies also sought tounderstand their factor structures.

Findings: The qualitative study uncovered feelings of dislike and mutual suspicion betweenethnic groups. The study also showed that it is possible to simultaneously use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and focus in analysing data. The quantitative analysis which employed the use of SPSS and AMOS found a three factor structure for Social Identity in a multiethnic context. In addition, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied due some of the limitation of factor analysis. There were significant differences between Catholics and Protestant on Social Identity and all the prejudice measures. There was also evidence of significant negative views between majority and minority groups in the country.

Conclusion: The main implication of this research is that there is evidence of a broad divide between the ethnic groups involved in the research indicating a lack of integration. Further implications and areas for future research are suggested.

Thesis is embargoed until 31st October 2013

Date of Award	Oct 2011
Original language	English
Sponsors	Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)
Supervisor	Ed Cairns (Supervisor) & Andrea Furey (Supervisor)