Tj. Yager et Mj. Rotheram-borus, Social expectations among African American, Hispanic, and European American adolescents, CROSS-C RES, 34(3), 2000, pp. 283-305
Ethnic, gender, and developmental differences in the social expectations of
African American, Hispanic, and European American high school students (n
= 277) were assessed. Students' responses to 16 brief videotaped scenes of
everyday social encounters were categorized to represent four domains: grou
p orientation, expressiveness, assertiveness, and aggressiveness. Significa
nt ethnic differences emerged in each domain: Group-oriented responses were
given significantly more often by Hispanic and European American students;
expressive and aggressive responses were significantly more frequent among
African American and Hispanic students; and assertive responses were more
frequent among European Americans compared to African. Americans. Males' so
cial expectations were Less group oriented and assertive and more expressiv
e and aggressive. Females' expectations for assertiveness increased with gr
ade? level. Ethnic and gender differences were similar across youth of diff
erent ages. The observed differences are discussed as potential sources of
cross-ethnic conflict among high school students.