Bicultural Self, Multiple Social Identities, and Dual Patriotisms Among Ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research tests a model of bicultural self and its implications for social identity (Study 1) and compares the effects of bicultural self and social identity on patriotism (Study 2). Studies are grounded in Hong Kong’s cultural-political context, where the century-long bicultural development of Chinese and Western selves is now realigning with Hong Kong’s recent reunification with China and the resultant expectation to identify with and be patriotic toward China. Results from 761 bilingual university students show that biculturals with strong Chinese and Western selves are psychologically more integrated than others with weaker selves. They are the only group to strongly endorse multiple social identities as Chinese, Hongkonger, and Hongkong Chinese. The Chinese self enhances patriotism toward China and Hong Kong, whereas the Western self and social identities enhance patriotism toward Hong Kong only.