National Attachment and Patriotism in a European Nation

A British Study

Bibliographic Data

ID7971977
AuthorsDespina M Rothi, Despina Rothi (corresponding author), Evanthia Lyons (University of Surrey), Xenia Chryssochoou (0000-0002-8001-5768, University of Surrey)
Year2005
Volume26
Issue1
Pages135-155
Publication date2005-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0162-895X • E-ISSN: 1467-9221
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9221.2005.00412.x
OpenAlexW2006816955
LanguageEN
Citations received45
References cited16

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

Criminology · Media studies · Patriotism · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Law · Philippine History and Culture · Psychology · Social Psychology