I will be administering and analyzing the results of a survey distributed to Asian American high school students across Arizona. Because of the limited research in this field, the survey will address multiple independent variables, dependent variables, and mediators. An example of one relationship we hope to find is between internalized racism (IV), mental health (DV), and different types of racial socialization (M). Which types of racial socialization exacerbate or buffer the effects of internalized racism on mental health?
This week, I've been collecting measures for possible independent variables, dependent variables, and mediators. Here's a few:
Model Minority Myth Measure
Subtle and Blatant Racism Scale
Collective Self-Esteem Scale
Quality of Life Scale
Racism-Related Coping Scale
More to come on those as I read about them throughout this week and help decide which ones to use for our survey.
In my Asian American Psychology class this week, we talked about the Model Minority Myth (see last post for more details and memes). One of the reasons why not much research on the Model Minority Myth exists is because no one thought it was harmful. Why would a positive stereotype harm anyone's mental health? Ridiculous, right?
If you would like to read the 1987 article pictured above, click here.
The Model Minority Myth, as innocent and complimenting as it sounds. is actually detrimental to both Asian Americans and other people of color. Asian Americans are labeled "The Model Minority," which implies that other groups must look up to the role models, giving them a sense of inferiority. In the Asian American perspective, many students are pressured to do well in school—elementary, high school, even college—just because of their race. Beyond education, Asian Americans are expected by everyone around them to have economic and social success as well; many Asian Americans are pressured to the point of taking their own lives.
As an Asian American myself, I've experienced the effects of the Model Minority Myth. My parents expect me to get A's. When I say that I play the violin, people expect me to be the concertmaster of an orchestra. I'll admit that I've sometimes conformed to the stereotype. I've gotten A's before, but I've also gotten B's and C's. I've been the concertmaster of my school orchestra, but I've also sat in the last chair. Whether I do or do not fit the stereotype, however, does not make me more or less Asian. More or less of a person.
The more I engage myself in my project, the more I realize that I must not define myself through stereotypes. That's the main reason why I enjoy my SRP. I'm excited for all of the quantitative analyses of the data we'll collect during the project, but I'm even more thrilled by the idea that people might read my blog and learn how to define themselves beyond their physical features.
Knowledge is so empowering! Do you think it'd ever be helpful to teach children about racism in school?
ReplyDeleteI definitely think it would help because most History classes and textbooks teach from the White perspective. Also, I think most schools try to avoid talking about race beyond History class because it could be sensitive or controversial. But, if we're trying to solve a problem, we have to first admit that there is a problem, right?
DeleteHow do you plan to distribute your survey? I definitely think it's important for people to cultivate their passions and strengths both in spite of or even according to certain stereotypes. But I imagine it must be frustrating sometimes when that action is minimized because of someone's race, or just outward quality in general. Oh you got tried really hard and got good at the violin? It's just because you're asian, not personal skill or anything. pfffttt. I'm interested in what kinds of questions you'll be asking, once you're done sorting through them of course.
ReplyDeleteAs of right now, the survey is going to be online. I'm not sure how that will change depending on parental consent forms because most high school students are under 18. I get the whole violin thing all the time, and it gets pretty annoying, to be honest.
DeleteJulie, I'm glad you discussed more about how the Model Minority Myth and the pressure it creates on the Asian American race and other races in America. I've always felt pressured to do extremely well in school due to the majority's expectations of my race as well as being expected to "set an example" for other African Americans. The huge psychological toll the Model Minority Myth has on other minorities is disturbing and I didn't realize how much it influenced what I did in high school. So thank you for making me see how destructive this Myth truly is and for giving me the choice not to fall into that. I hope everything goes well with your survey!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like this topic since you're directly influenced by it every day :) Thank you!
DeleteHey Julie! It was very interesting to read about the Model Minority Myth because I have never heard of this term before. After reading your post, I realized that I have seen this effect on Asian Americans. Personally, I am an Asian American, but I have not really experienced the effects of the Model Minority Myth. This is probably because I do not have asian parents. However, do you know how the Model Minority Myth originated? Also, why is the Model Minority Myth so strongly associated with Asians?
ReplyDeleteI'm also very interested in multicultural families and transracial adoptees, like you! I'm sure the racial experience must be completely different for you because of your family. I wrote a bit on the history of the Model Minority Myth in my last post if you want to check it out!
DeleteSeeing not only the research you do but the feelings of self-discovery and understand you're gaining is inspiring Julie! Plus, it's always fun for me to see what sort of things you find, because I often see that not all, but at least some of the things you research and explain here in these posts apply to me, as an Indian American. It's astounding and insightful, and I can't wait to see the fruits of your research!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that, once you've finished writing it, you'll be able to share your survey with us? I'm curious to see the types of things you ask!
I will ask my professor if I can share some questions on the survey! If not, you can take it and contribute to my data pool because you identify as Indian American, and therefore, qualify to take the survey!
DeleteGreat post! So how does a person counteract the harmful effects of the model minority myth, do you think? It is great that you are so empowered and knowledgeable, but I wonder how many younger BASIS kids, among others, could benefit from more self-awareness around this issue. Is there some program or steps individuals, the school, or community should take, do you think?
ReplyDeleteI think one of the most important step that our society needs to take is stopping the reinforcement of the Model Minority Myth, especially in the media. With the help of a therapist, some psychologically detrimental effects may be buffered, but it's hard to fight with a label that has been following you since the moment you were born.
DeleteI love your project and blog so much! I've had some (white) people challenge me and other Asian American kids at school when we talk about experiencing racism because they claim Asian Americans don't face racism, negative stereotyping, or even prejudice in America. I think the reason people believe this is because of the model minority myth. For that reason, yet another destructive effect is that there is less effort made to prevent or correct racism towards Asian Americans than there should be, and less support for us when we face prejudice or are made to feel negatively about our race.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! There's very little research done on Asian Americans, especially compared to African Americans, so I think I want to continue this research even into college!
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