I am doing a research to measure secondary school student's national identity. I am interested to know whether there is any measurement or study on the subject in other place.
Traditional themes included: Citizenship and Participation, Patriotism and Pride, Personal Attributes, Unique Aspects and lifestyle, Mateship, and the notion of a Fair Go for all. Progressive notions included themes such as Societal Characteristics, and Respect for Other Cultures suggesting that some aspects of national identity may be changing. Most themes were salient for all groups adding further validity to the findings. The themes of a fair go, respecting heritage, and advancing Australia’s future were not apparent for primary and secondary students, and it was suggested that perhaps these notions are too sophisticated for young children. University students rated societal characteristics, citizenship/participation, respecting other cultures, unique aspects of lifestyle, and personal attributes more frequently in comparison to other groups suggesting that university students may have a more complicated conception of national identity.
http://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=learning_processes
Many experts see national identity as an expression of the idea of 'We' and 'They'. I think this concept can be dangerous if exploited by unscrupulous people with power (Ukraine might be a recent example). Isn't it better to overcome this pigeonholing? People with low self-esteem may need a national identity to take pride in something that they didn't create or contribute to.
As a source, see Anthony D. Smith (Mar 1, 1993). National identity. (Ethnonationalism in Comparative Perspective), University of Nevada Press ISBN 978-0-87417-204-1.
Johann Gottfried Herder believed that there is an inherent, he called it "genius" and spirit according to time in every people ( Nations just began to rise this time by the rise of the bourgoisie). This spirit is different by environmental specifities but of equal value. The developement of humanity is the all common goal.
I think I have measured aspects of national identity in a few investigations -- in the US, Britain, Israel, the West Bank, India and Pakistan working with co-authors. I would suggest the Osgood Semantic Differential where individuals rate concepts and self. With the SD, you can have individuals rate SELF, IDENTITY, MY COUNTRY and any concept you choose.
Thank you all for your opinion.Thank you Edwin for sharing your experience and your suggestion. How do I access to your publication on the investigation which covered aspect of national identity?
Hi:
I tried to send you a msg via Research Gate but you do not appear to be listed.
In the meantime, may I suggest that you look at some of my articles/abstracts that are on Resarch Gate now.
1. An easy semantic differential technique.
2. British semantic differential responses on world powers
3.Canadian and American perception of world powers
4. Values in Jordanian university students: A test of Osgood's cultural universals.
5. The mirror-image phenomenon in the context of the Arab-Israel conflict
With your investigation, I would suggest rating cultural groups. For example, let us suppose that the investigation is interested in Druses. I would suggest rating
1. The polar concepts: GOOD, BAD STRONG, WEAK, ACTIVE, PASSIVE.
2. Ethinic-religious groups: ARAB, SHIA, SUNNI, CHRISTIAN, ISRAELI, DRUSE
3. Personal concepts: MYSELF, MY FAMILY. WAR, PEACE, and other concepts up to a total of 24.
I would except that the physical proximity in the model would show where/how the individual identifies.
thank you Edwin for your suggestion and for sharing your works. I will take note of your suggestion.
For national minorities, a good instrument to measure national identity is the "Moreno question", defined by the Spanish political scientist Luis Moreno: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/28099851_Dual_identities_and_stateless_nations_%28the_Moreno_question%29
Article Dual identities and stateless nations (the "Moreno question")
The International Social Survey Program ran two National Identity related surveys. One of them in 1995, and another one in 2003. The batteries of questions asked measure both civic and ethnic national identity. It may be worth looking at to see if these measures apply in your context as well.
http://www.issp.org/page.php?pageId=4
A lot of scholarly articles about Europe and Canada have been published based on it. You may want to have a look a look at them as well.
Could you ask each student what language their parents/grandparents spoke, which festivals / celebrations they attend regularly and list of specific customs they practice or used to practice.
You would have a look at the research on Latvian high school students performed by Golubeva, Maria. 2010. «Different history, different citizenship? Competing narratives and diverging civil enculturation in majority and minority schools in Estonia and Latvia.» Journal of Baltic Studies 41 (3): 315-29.
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