Are there differences in self-verification?: an examination of African Americans, Latinos, and Whites

This study tests how identity theory, specifically the process of self-verification, functions for members of three different racial/ethnic groups: African Americans, Latinos, and whites. Working from an identity theory perspective, it is proposed that members from these groups employ different significant others (e.g. family friends, co-workers) in their formation and maintenance of self. These ideas are then tested using three role-identities: worker, student/education, and friend. Data for this project comes from interviews collected in 2000 within the greater Los Angeles area. Overall, support is found for the process of identity theory, and for the hypotheses that members from different groups utilize the significant others to varying degrees. We find that in addition to differences by race/ethnicity, differences exist depending upon the role-identity under investigation. Limitations and directions for future research are also explored.