Striving to reach the “native speaker standard”

A growth belief may mitigate some deleterious effects of social comparison in migrants

Bibliographic Data

ID11208503
AuthorsNigel Mantou Lou (0000-0003-1363-833X, University of Victoria, corresponding author), Kimberly A Noels (0000-0002-9881-4242, University of Alberta)
Year2024
Volume101
Pages101990
Publication date2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Intercultural Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0147-1767 • E-ISSN: 1873-7552
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ijintrel.2024.101990
OpenAlexW4399457805
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited60

While upward social comparison can inspire and provide information for self-improvement, it can also threaten one’s self-confidence. This study examines how upward comparisons with “native speakers” relate to self-confidence and adaptation of migrant students who speak English as a second language, and the role of language mindsets in this process. Study 1 ( n = 322) showed that the majority of migrant university students (67 %) tend to compare themselves with native speakers or people with higher levels of English proficiency (i.e., upward comparison), but those with fixed (vs. growth) mindsets were less likely to do so. Study 2 ( n = 101) showed that when migrant students compared to native speakers (vs. control), they reported lower level of confidence. However, some negative effects of social comparison were buffered by growth mindsets, such that people with growth (vs. fixed) mindsets were less anxious and more confident to adapt to their academic environment. These findings suggest the “native speaker standard” has detrimental effects on linguistic-minority students’ language, social, and academic adaptations, but a growth mindset might mitigate some of these negative effects. • Most migrant students in North America compare themselves to “native English speakers.” • The “native speaker standard” undermines migrants’ emotion and adaptation. • Growth mindsets buffer some negative effects, specifically on language anxiety and academic adaptation

Developmental psychology · Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access