National identity and inter-ethnic relations: comparison of elementary and high school pupils from Zagreb and Vukovar

Potelj, Vesna. (2009). National identity and inter-ethnic relations: comparison of elementary and high school pupils from Zagreb and Vukovar. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Čorkalo Biruški, Dinka].

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Abstract

The primary aim of this research was to examine and compare the national identity of pupils from Zagreb and Vukovar and to explore the relationship between national identity and certain aspects of inter-ethnic relations. We included samples of pupils from Zagreb and Vukovar to determine whether different ethnic identity salience levels affect levels of national identity. The study included a sample of 283 pupils from Zagreb and 249 pupils from Vukovar aged 11 to 16. Results revealed higher national identity levels among pupils from Vukovar in comparison to pupils from Zagreb. Results also showed that while pupils from Vukovar have up to 10 friends among members of the other group, pupils from Zagreb tend to report random contacts. Pupils from Vukovar express a higher degree of ingroup bias, a higher tendency to discriminate against the out-group and a lower level of inter-ethnic tolerance. Pupils from Zagreb are ready to establish relatively close relations with members of different national groups while pupils from Vukovar are willing to accept them only as neighbours. A higher level of national identity is connected with a greater degree of ingroup bias, a stronger tendency to discriminate against the out-group, lower levels of interethnic tolerance and a smaller number and less closer contacts with members of the other group. A moderately positive correlation has been found between the degree of in-group bias and the tendency to discriminate against the out-group, and a moderately negative relationship has been found between the number and the type of inter-ethnic contacts and friendships. Results have also revealed certain differences in levels of national identity and aspects of interethnic contacts regarding the age and the sex of the participants.

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