Demystifying the model minority: The influences of identity and the college experience on Asian Pacific American undergraduates' racial attitudes.

Abstract

This study examines the complex sources and implications of the racial attitudes of Asian Pacific American (APA) college students, who, as one of the fastest growing demographics in higher education enrollments, play an increasingly significant role in campus race relations. Drawing upon research on racial attitudes, racial/ethnic identity, and college impact theory, this study explores the views of APA students on such contemporary and controversial racial issues as affirmative action principles and practices, discrimination and social inequality, and racial/ethnic identification. The data for this study are from a four-year longitudinal study of multiculturalism and diversity that follows a sample of 184 APA undergraduates at a public Midwestern university. Multiple regression analyses were employed to identify the student background characteristics, personal beliefs and racial/ethnic identification, and college experiences that influenced Asian Pacific American students' racial attitudes, and limited path analyses were conducted to test the direct and indirect relationships among key constructs and the four outcome measures. Findings show that, contrary to popular beliefs, APA students' own college application experiences did not influence their views on affirmative action or the state of inequality of American racial/ethnic groups. Instead, APA students' beliefs about the American dream ideology and an increased sense of racial/ethnic identification were significantly related to their support for affirmative action and the belief that American society remains discriminatory and unequal. Several facets of the college environment were also influential in shaping APA students' racial attitudes. Majoring in humanities or social sciences fields, participating in campus coordinated diversity activities, conversing with friends about diversity topics, and negative perceptions of the campus racial climate were either directly or indirectly associated with support for affirmative action in higher education. In addition, participation in diversity activities and involvement in Asian-ethnic clubs influenced APA students to enhance their commitment to a larger Asian Pacific American culture and community. The results of this study underscore the complexity of Asian Pacific American students' racial attitudes and the necessity of understanding the intricate forces that influence college students' attitudes in order to create inclusive and effective diverse campus environments.