National Attachment and Patriotism in a European Nation: A British Study

In: Political psychology: journal of the International Society of Political Psychology, Band 26, Heft 1, S. 135-155

Abstract

This study explores identification with one's national group using two distinct but interrelated concepts: identity content & relational orientation. Theoretical distinctions were drawn between two forms of identity content: traditional-cultural & civic, & between two forms of relational orientation: blind & constructive. The multidimensionality of both identity content & relational orientation & the relationships amongst these components were examined in a British sample: positive relationships were hypothesized between blind orientation & traditional-cultural content & between constructive orientation & civic content. Principal components analyses confirmed the hypothesized factor structures, & the resulting scales were highly reliable. Relationships among the resulting factors were explored using regression analyses. The overall results indicate support for the orthogonality of both the two orientation dimensions & the two content dimensions. Moreover, the hypothesized relationships between forms of orientation & content were largely supported. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of looking at the relationship between identity content & relational orientation. The implications of these observations for theory & research are discussed with reference to using categories to "group" participants in research, citizenship education, & more general attitudes toward social change. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 1 Appendix, 32 References. Adapted from the source document.