Constraints in the meanings of lay theories of culture in a culturally homogeneous society: A mixed-methods study on multiculturalism and polyculturalism in Wonosobo, Indonesia

Abstract

Studies on multiculturalism and polyculturalism are typically carried out in multicultural societies; studies on relatively homogeneous societies are rare. In this study, we use a mixed-method approach to explore how the two lay theories of culture are understood in a culturally homogeneous community (Wonosobo) in a multicultural country (Indonesia). In Study 1, data gathered using focus group discussions with 36 university students were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. In Study 2, 264 university students answered questionnaires on lay theories and intergroup attitudes toward Chinese-Indonesians. Both studies suggest an understanding of the two lay theories of culture, but that multiculturalism was more well-defined in the students' responses in the focus group discussions and more strongly endorsed in the questionnaire data. Multiculturalism was often discussed with reference to the national ideology of Pancasila and was also associated with greater stereotyping of Chinese-Indonesians. Polyculturalism was typically mentioned only with reference to multiculturalist ideas and had negative intergroup consequences when interacting with multiculturalism. The results are discussed as ABOUT THE AUTHORS Susana Tjipto holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She teaches at the Faculty of Psychology, Sanata Dharma University, Indonesia, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology. She has been actively involved in both practice as a clinical psychologist and in scientific research with a deep and consistent interest in the interplay between culture and human behavior.Allan B. I. Bernardo is Professor of Psychology at the University of Macau. His research focuses on three themes: (a) lay theories and intergroup relations, (b) social cognitive processes related to socioeconomic differences, inequality, and mobility, and (c) cultural aspects of hope, positive strengths, and well-being. He holds a PhD in psychology from Yale University.

Pendidikan Resolusi Konflik Melalui Pembelajaran Multikultural Pada Pendidikan Formal

“…Pembelajaran berbasis multikultural di sekolah keagamaan dilakukan oleh Azzuhri (2012), Raihani (2012), dan Rustiawan (2017) yang secara khusus ditujukan pada sekolah berbasis keislaman dan berusaha menguniversalkan pendidikan agama dalam ranah ke-Indonesia-an. Kemudian secara umum, penelitian terkait pembelajaran berbasis multikultural di Indonesia dilakukan oleh Hanum & Rahmadonna (2009), Amirin (2012), Al-Arifin (2012), Noe, Affandi, Malihah, & Sunatra (2018), dan Tjipto & Bernardo (2019). Secara keseluruhan, penelitian-penelitian ini membuktikan bahwa pembelajaran berbasis multikultural cocok dan sangat layak diterapkan di Indonesia.…”

Polyculturalism and Attitudes Toward the Continuing Presence of Former Colonizers in Four Postcolonial Asian Societies

“…Johor Bahru’s population is ethnically diverse with Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other Malaysian ethnic groups; however, it does not have as high level of cultural diversity as Hong Kong and Macau where there are large portions of the population that are non-local. A study of cultural ideologies in Wonosobo, a culturally homogeneous city in Indonesia (Tjipto and Bernardo, 2019) suggests that the meaning polyculturalism may not be constructed in the same ways in communities that do not have regular direct experiences of intercultural contact; instead notions of multiculturalism and polyculturalism might be abstract notions that are given meaning based on more formal social processes like government policy and school instruction. Although the city of Johor Bahru, Malaysia is not as culturally homogeneous as Wonosobo, Indonesia, it is possible that polyculturalism as an intergroup lay theory is not as meaningful among the participants from the city, which could explain why the Malaysian results diverge from the Hong Kong and Macau results.…”

“…If so, we should expect that the positive intergroup consequences associated with polyculturalism will not be observed in other societies with low levels of intercultural contact, and that means intergroup consequences that do not necessarily relate to colonial experiences. Future research should be designed to directly test this implication (see e.g., Tjipto and Bernardo, 2019).…”

Konformitas Kelompok dan Polikulturalisme pada Mahasiswa Perantau

“…Namun mereka masih diliputi prasangka yang cukup besar, enggan melakukan evaluasi terhadap kelompok sendiri, dan kecenderungan tidak mampu berfungsi secara optimal dalam lingkungan yang heterogen. Hal ini menegaskan bahwa komposisi masyarakat yang homogen menjadi penghambat berkembangnya pemahaman polyculturalism (Tjipto & Bernardo, 2019).…”

“…Polikulturalisme berhubungan dengan prasangka antar kelompok rendah, kemampuan untuk berfungsi secara efektif dalam lingkungan budaya yang beragam, sikap positif terhadap akomodasi budaya, dan budaya-budaya campuran (Tjipto & Bernardo, 2019). Berkaitan dengan konformitas yang didefinisikan sebagai kesediaan seseorang untuk meniru serta menyamakan diri pada kelompok untuk menghindari konflik yang secara umum menjadi pengikut dalam hal ide, nilai dan perilaku menurut Mehrabian & Stelf (1995).…”