On the need to broaden the concept of ethnic identity

Abstract

tWe argue that the traditional split between ethnic identity and mainstream identity ascore identities of immigrants can no longer describe the multiple allegiances of manyimmigrants. Ethnographic and survey methods should be combined to study (the broaderconcept of) social identity in a context of multiple allegiances that can undergo quickchanges. We illustrate the multidisciplinary approach in a study in a highly diverse neigh-borhood in Antwerp (Belgium). We first present an ethnographic description of the area,followed by a mixed-methods study of identities of the inhabitants of the area. In the surveypart we administered various social identity measures (including ethnic, national, and cos-mopolitan identity) and asked open end self-descriptions. A factor analysis of these datarevealed two factors (identity and belongingness). We conclude that such a multidisci-plinary and multimethod approach is needed to understand the immense complexity ofhighly diverse neighborhoods and their psychological ramifications.