Merriam-Webster states that belongingness entails "close or intimate relationships, and a sense of belonging." Humans have a basic and universal emotional need to be an accepted member of a group. In terms of a university setting, Gleiman (2015), states "Ultimately, engagement through the sense of belonging can be one of the most…

Student success in higher education (HE) is dependent on the possession of a positive learner identity, the development of which is a complex longitudinal process of change. Exploring the growth of learner identity within the transition between school and university is therefore apposite, especially for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who…

This paper examines the development of the concept of solidarity as expressing a sense of shared humanity, while detailing critiques of its current use, especially when it implies a privileged center setting the agenda for the sake of marginalized others. My research demonstrates how solidarity can be modified when encountering difference, and how…

The double consciousness model represents Black self-concept as being comprised of three primary cognitive structures: the "I," the "me," and the "we" self-referents. A study was conducted to examine three assumptions pertaining to the "we" self-referent: (1) that it reflects attitudes and behaviors developed because of Black Americans' African…

Recommends developing a secure, positive sense of one's racial identity through questioning preexisting attitudes and examining the past and present relationships between one's own and other groups. Describes several models of positive ethnic identity development for minority and white students. Discusses the implications of this research for…

Research on U.S. "Greek" sororities has typically addressed issues dealing with White women in higher education. In contrast, this case study sought to identify the cultural behaviors and group norms that serve to enhance academic achievement and reinforce personal growth among members of a Latina sorority. In fall 1993, interviews were…

Employs observations and interviews to explore ways four basketball teams used players' bodies to create a plural self, transforming individuals into interconnected, deindividualized members. Raises the possibility that for many athletes this temporarily realized plural self continues as a possible self and invites the development of certain…

Results of a study which examined the impact of the Lebanese civil war on the ethnic orientation of Armenians in Lebanon are presented. A brief historical overview of the presence of Armenians in Lebanon is given first, focusing on the evolution of Armenian-Arab relations. A theoretical framework is then provided to guide the discussion of the…

Examines the relationship between indicators of collective identity (collective self-esteem, religious involvement, involvement in ethnic organizations) and prejudice towards the other group among Jewish and Arab college students. Collective identity variables largely were unrelated to prejudice among the Jewish students. Findings for the Arab…

Examines the effect of situational variations of ethnic identity and their relationship to measures of psychosocial adjustment. Among French Canadian university students, English-speaking students who identified strongly with their first language group but exhibited a high degree of inter-situational variation experienced more stress, depression,…

Maintains that people have multiple identities and discusses how these differential identities were realigned in Latvia during and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Survey data suggests current ethnopolitical identity incorporates multiple dimensions and a strong contextual component. Includes graphs and tables of statistical data. (MJP)

Suggestions for improving conversation groups in the intermediate and advanced English as a second language classroom are considered with attention directed to design of the activities, preparation of the individuals involved, and selection of the subject matter. In addition, factors that cause conversation groups to fail are discussed. A…