“You’re Asian; You’re supposed to be smart”: Adolescents’ experiences with the Model Minority Stereotype and longitudinal links with identity.

Abstract

Asian Americans are frequently perceived as a model minority, which encompasses a multifaceted and stereotyped portrayal of hard work and success. This study examines developmental trends in adolescents' experiences with the Model Minority Stereotype (MMS) during adolescence, the valence of feelings about the MMS, and the associations between experiences, feelings, and ethnic identity. Survey data were collected annually from 159 Asian American adolescents throughout high school. Results revealed that MMS experiences increased over time, but feelings remained consistent in valence. Experiences and feelings predicted ethnic identity both concurrently and longitudinally, but ethnic identity predicted experiences only concurrently and did not predict the valence of feelings. Discussion focuses on how adolescents' attitudes toward a complex ethnic stereotype may evolve as they establish-or fail to establish-a connection to their cultural background.

Latent Profiles of Discrimination and Socialization Predicting Ethnic Identity and Well‐Being Among Asian American Adolescents

“…Some evidence does suggest that those who experience ethnic stereotyping tend to develop stronger feelings of affiliation and identification with their ethnic group (e.g., Branscombe, Schmitt, & Harvey, ). Emerging research focusing specifically on the model minority stereotype similarly suggests that awareness of the stereotype, as well as feeling positively about the image, are positively associated with a strong sense of ethnic identity, as defined by belonging and exploration (Thompson, Kiang, & Witkow, ). Notably, the directionality appears to go from stereotyping to ethnic identity, rather than the reverse, which is consistent with social identity theory (Tajfel, ) and provides preliminary evidence that perceptions of stereotypes predict more positive ethnic identity over time.…”

Asian American Identity Development: A Bicultural Model for Youth

“…I didn't feel bad, but … you know … sorta weird to be called that." As Thompson et al (2016) stated, the MMS can perpetuate an inaccurate stereotype that places enormous stress and demands on EAA youth. Therefore, it is important for counselors to help youth identify the MMS and develop appropriate coping strategies.…”

“…We propose a conceptual model (see Figure 1) that explains the relationship between EAA youth acculturation stress, bicultural identity, and well-being that is based on an integration of the literature on Asian American acculturation, cultural identity, and bicultural programs. Acculturation stress is often associated with EAA mental health concerns (Choi et al, 2016;Thompson et al, 2016;Xia et al, 2013). The main acculturative stressors affecting EAA youth are intergenerational conflicts (Rhee et al, 2003), racial discrimination , and identity development .…”

“…The final principle is recognizing and addressing racial discrimination. Thompson et al (2016) argue that racial discrimination experiences are related to identity development. Youth have the opportunity to process their discrimination experiences and learn coping skills in EWC.…”

The Contrast Portrayals of American and Pakistani Culture in The Big Sick Movie

“…According to Josefová, multicultural society is made up of people from different nations, cultures, origins, religions, ethnics, races and languages (Josefová, 2014). All ethnic groups, as (Thompson, Taylor L, 2016) argues, are associated with various set of traits or characteristics; thus, each ethnic group holds its traits of stereotype. For example, based on the result of Katz and Braly's research in 1933 that explores the traits of stereotypes which attributed to various ethnics and nationalities, Americans are associated Commonly, the cultural stereotype can be found in a Western nation, such as America, in which the indigenous people consciously or unconsciously will give negative stigma to the immigrants, especially to the Easterners, because of the cultural differences that they have.…”