On the Desirability of Own-Group Preference

Abstract

This article reviews and critiques the ethnic preference research that views minorities'own-group preference behavior as indicative of self-esteem and identity achievement. The assumption that own-group preference is ideal, normative, or healthy is called into question and an alternative conceptualization is advanced. It is argued that with age and maturity individuals should find themselves less prone to accept or reject ethnically salient stimuli solely on the basis of the surface features of those stimuli and more on the basis of whether such stimuli reflect personal interests, inner experiences, values, and intrapsychic needs.