TWO SCALES FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN IDENTITY *

Abstract

Two scales designad to measure Mexican- American identity are presented. These scales wert developed from data collected in Mc Allen, Austin , Lubbock , and Waco , Texas . Оля scale is designed to measure identification with the MexicanAmerican population per se , and consists of attitudinal-type items. The second scale is concerned with behavior and centers on interaction with the MexicanAmerican population. Procedures followed in the development and testing of the scales are also discussed. Specifically , a high con elation between scores on the two scales was observed, thereby reinforcing the validity of the scales. Also , a panel of judges was used to evaluate subjectively Mexican-American identity of the respondents in one of the communities. A significant correlation was observed between the evaluation of the judges and scores on both of the scales. Item analysis and item correlation were computed using the Kuder -Richardson formula and are also reported. An enduring attitude system can of be three defined components as an enduring system of three components organized around a single object. These three components are: cognitive, or beliefs about the object; emotional or value orientation toward the object; and action tendencies concerning the object (Summers, 1970 : 2-4). Furthermore, it is recognized that an attitude as a relatively enduring system produces consistency in behavioral patterns. These ideas have been employed in the development of two scales designed to measure Mexican-American identity. One scale is designed to identily the emotional or value set of the respondent pursuant to identification with the Mexi can- Ameri can population. The other scale is designed to measure the action tendency component as reflected by the behavioral patterns of the individual. More specifically, the second is designed to measure