Psycho-Social Correlaets of Social Identity in Different Ethnic Groups in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the phenomena of social identity of ethnic groups such as Chakma, Marma, Tripura and Santal living in different parts of Bangladesh. Several devices were used to explore the moderating effects of gender, region and age. Gender represented male and female categories of ethnic groups in study. Region was conceived as high concentration and low concentration. Respondents were divided into three age groups such as 18-21 age-group, 22-25 age-group and 26-29 age-group. A total of 300 respondents were included in the sample. Five instruments were used. These instruments were developed for the measurement of social identity patterns of four ethnic groups. These instruments were (i) Social Identity Test (SIT), (ii) Adjective Check List (ACL), (iii) Measurement of Socio-Cultural Practices (MSCP), (iv) Measurement of National Integration (MNI) and (v) Fraternal Relative Deprivation Test (FRDT). Several theories of intergroup relation were described to provide theoretical base of the study. These were (i) Social Identity Theory, (ii) System Justification Theory, (iii) Social Dominance Theory (iv) Personality Theory of Discrimination (v) Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (vi) Subjective Uncertainty Reduction Theory and (vii) Terror Management Theory. These theoretical constructs provided a baseline for the development of the study on social identity of Chakma, Marma, Tripura and Santal population in Bangladesh. In the perspective of theoretical development of the study, a short review of relevant empirical studies was made. Consistent with theories and review of relevant literature, rationale of the study, need of the study and objective of the study were stated. Lastly, several hypotheses were formulated. The data were collected and analysis using statistical techniques of Analysis of Variance. A factorial design was used representing two levels of gender (male/female), two levels of region (high concentration/low concentration) and three level of age (18-21/22-25/26-29). This factorial design was used for the analysis of data. Results showed that all the ethnic groups reported positive social identity in varied forms. Moreover, the respondents regardless of their group belongingness evaluated own group more positively leading to the formation of positive social identity. In addition, the respondents showed higher preference for own group socio-cultural practices and showed lower preference for out group socio-cultural practices. The respondents did not support national integration. They showed preference for maintaining group distinctiveness. Lastly respondents, irrespective of their group affiliation, perceived felt fraternal relative deprivation in comparison to the privileges enjoyed by dominant out group. In conclusion, it may be said that patterns of social identity of the ethnic groups under investigation revealed a common thread that they want to preserve self-esteem, group distinctiveness, linguistic vitality, cultural recognition, social justice and equitable distribution of resources and privileges. In a word, they prefer to live within a pluralistic society in a democratic political system.