Stephen M. Croucher

Social Networking and Cultural Adaptation: A Theoretical Model

This paper demonstrates a theoretical model for the influence of social networking on cultural adaptation. Through the integration of cultivation theory and ethnic group vitality, this model proposes social networking affects immigrants’ interactions with the dominant culture as well as in-group communication.

Integrated Threat Theory and Acceptance of Immigrant Assimilation: An Analysis of Muslim Immigration in Western Europe

This study explores whether a threat from an immigrant group is related to members of a dominant culture believing immigrants do not want to assimilate. As Muslim immigration to Europe has rapidly increased in the past 20 years, Muslim immigrants were used as the example of immigrants during data collection. Data were collected in France (n=162), Germany (n=111), and the United Kingdom (n=159). Threat was measured using a collection of instruments based off work in Integrated Threat Theory. Results reveal that when members of the host culture feel threatened they are more likely to believe immigrants (in this case Muslims) do not want to assimilate. There were also significant differences between the three nations in the perception of whether Muslims wanted to assimilate or not.

How Limiting Linguistic Freedoms Influences the Cultural Adaptation Process: An Analysis of the French Muslim Population

This study asserts that when ethnic or minority groups perceive themselves to be under linguistic pressures to conform to the dominant culture and language, they will be less motivated to acculturate to the dominant culture and will have increased resentment toward the dominant culture. A total of 567 first-, second-, and third-generation French Muslims were surveyed to ascertain the Muslim communitys perception of French language policies. Aside from revealing a decreased motivation to acculturate and increased resentment toward the dominant culture, the studys results demonstrate the importance of ethnolinguistic vitality in understanding the communitys overall refusal to completely adapt to the dominant French culture.

Basque Nationalism and the Spiral of Silence

/ This study represents a test of the spiral of silence theory across national boundaries regarding the Basque separatist group, ETA. Approximately 200 participants were surveyed for this study in France and Spain. The study found a stronger spiral of silence effect the closer participants were to the Basque homeland both geographically and culturally. This test of the spiral of silence is consistent with previous research in finding a need for cross-cultural applications of the theory.

Conflict Styles and High–Low Context Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Extension

This study examines the assertion that culture influences conflict style preference. Data were gathered in India (n = 657), Ireland (n = 311), Thailand (n = 232), and the United States (n = 592). Conflict was measured using Oetzels Conflict Style Measure. Results confirm that high-context nations (India and Thailand) prefer the avoiding and obliging conflict styles more than low-context nations (Ireland and the United States), whereas low-context nations prefer the dominating conflict style more than high-context nations. However, results of this study are contrary to previous research in that high-context nations prefer the compromising style more than do low-context nations, and the nations are mixed in their level of preference for the integrating style.

The Impact of External Pressures on an Ethnic Community: The Case of Montréal's Quartier Chinois and Muslim-French Immigrants

This article examines how a community responds to external pressures to adapt culturally to a dominant cultural/political paradigm. Interviews were conducted in Montreal, Canada in 2003 and in France in 2005. In Montreal interviews were conducted among Chinese shopkeepers residing in Montreals Chinatown, or Quartier Chinois. In France interviews were conducted with Muslims in various ummahs, or Muslim communities in France. The results of the interviews demonstrate that when a minority group is pressured to linguistically, politically, culturally, religiously, and economically adapt to a dominant paradigm that the minority community will respond by closing itself from the dominant culture.

The Influence of Religiosity and Ethnic Identification on Media Use Among Muslims and Non-Muslims in France and Britain

This is an examination of the ethnic media use of French and British Muslims. A total of 677 Muslims participated in the study. Analysis reveals being an immigrant or a native of a nation does not significantly influence ethnic media use in France but does in Britain. Ethnic identification was also revealed as an influential predictor of ethnic media use among Muslims in France but not in Britain. Religiosity significantly predicted ethnic media use among British Muslims. The article argues religiosity and ethnic identification should be included in studies examining media use among ethnic groups.

Organizational Dissent and Argumentativeness: A Comparative Analysis between American and Indian Organizations

Individuals were recruited from India (1111) and the United States (1087) to complete a survey analyzing the relationship between organizational dissent and argumentativeness. Correlation analysis revealed contrary to previous research, argumentativeness and the three types of organizational dissent were not positively correlated. Hierarchical regression modeling illustrated nationality to have a significant effect on the relationship between argumentativeness and displaced dissent and between argumentativeness and latent dissent. An individuals organizational tenure did not significantly influence the relationship between dissent and argumentativeness. Significant effects emerged between dissent and argumentativeness for the interaction between nationality and an individuals organizational tenure.

Factors Predicting Organizational Identification with Intercollegiate Forensics Teams

This study examines the relationship between intercollegiate forensics competitors’ organizational identification and organizational culture. Through a survey analysis of 314 intercollegiate forensics students, this study reports three major findings. First, this study found male competitors identify with forensics programs more than female competitors do. Second, this study found African-American competitors identify with their programs more than other ethnicities do. Third, the correlation between organizational identification and organizational cultural understanding is multidimensional with positive and negative correlations between organizational identification and different factors of organizational culture. The nature of forensics and team social support are discussed as reasons for student identification.

French-Muslims and the Hijab: An Analysis of Identity and the Islamic Veil in France

This article examines how Muslims living in France construct, and negotiate their identities in the wake of Law 2004–228, a French law banning the wearing of the Islamic veil in French public schools. This research finds that Muslims deem the Islamic veil or hijab to be a fundamental part of their identity. Muslims describe the hijab as being an important and salient symbol of Islam that runs counter to Frances concept of secularism or laïcité. Moreover, French-Muslims assert regulations like Law 2004–228 represent France attempting to control Muslim identity and forcefully integrate this population.