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Asian American Identity Scale
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About Asian American Identity Scale
Scale Name
Asian American Identity Scale
Author Details
Karen A. Oyserman and Isabel H. Sakamoto
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Asian American Identity scale (AsAmID‚ M = 3.71‚ alpha = .72) was based on Oyserman’s tripartite racial model (Oyserman‚ D.‚ Gant‚ L. & Ager‚ J. (1995). A socially contextualized model of African American identity: Possible selves and school persistence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology‚69‚ 1216-1232)‚ with specific scale items developed for Asian Americans‚ especially adding family focus. Exploratory factor analyses with a varimax rotation of the 12 items resulted in a four-factor solution (Connectedness‚ Family Focus‚ Interdependent Achievement‚ and Awareness of Racism).
The Asian American Identity Scale (AAIS) emerged in 1997 as a response to the need for a nuanced measure of Asian American racial identity. Prior to its development, research in this area often relied on broader racial categories that didn’t capture the unique experiences of Asian Americans.
Recognizing this gap, psychologists Karen A. Oyserman and Isabel H. Sakamoto built upon Oyserman’s existing “tripartite model” of racial identity. This model emphasizes how social contexts like family and community shape our sense of self. Oyserman and Sakamoto adapted this framework to specifically consider the Asian American experience, placing particular weight on the importance of family within this population.
The AAIS itself is a questionnaire. It consists of 12 statements that individuals respond to on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. By analyzing responses, the AAIS generates a total score reflecting the overall salience of Asian American identity for that person. Additionally, the scale breaks down scores into four subcategories:
- Connectedness: This subscale gauges the strength of an individual’s sense of belonging to the broader Asian American community.
- Family Focus: This section explores how much emphasis the individual places on family in shaping their identity as an Asian American.
- Interdependent Achievement: This subscale taps into the value placed on collective success within the family and community, a concept often highlighted in Asian American cultures.
Awareness of Racism: This section assesses an individual’s recognition of the racial prejudice faced by Asian Americans.
The AAIS has proven to be a valuable tool for researchers studying Asian American identity. It allows for a deeper understanding of the various aspects that contribute to this identity, including social experiences, family dynamics, and personal perceptions of race. However, it’s important to remember that the AAIS is just one piece of the puzzle. The vast diversity within the Asian American population necessitates the use of multiple tools and perspectives to fully appreciate the richness and complexity of this identity.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- The facilitator (researcher, clinician, etc.) should be familiar with the AAIS instrument and its purpose.
- If needed, the instrument should be translated into appropriate languages for the target population.
- Participants should be provided with informed consent explaining the purpose of the study and how their data will be used.
- Participants receive a copy of the AAIS questionnaire, which typically includes the 12 statements and a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree) next to each statement.
- They are instructed to read each statement carefully and circle the response that best reflects their own beliefs and experiences.
- The facilitator should be available to answer any questions about the scale or the task itself, ensuring clarity for all participants.
Reliability and Validity
The Asian American Identity Scale (AAIS) has been shown to possess evidence of both reliability and validity, making it a valuable tool for research on Asian American racial identity. Here’s a breakdown of these aspects:
- Internal Consistency: Studies have demonstrated good internal consistency for the AAIS. This means the 12 items within the scale tend to measure the same underlying construct (salience of Asian American identity) effectively. Scores from different items are correlated, suggesting they’re all capturing a similar concept. Common measures of internal consistency like Cronbach’s alpha typically fall within an acceptable range (above .70) for the AAIS.
- Test-Retest Reliability: Research also indicates that the AAIS has good test-retest reliability. This means that if someone takes the scale twice within a reasonable time frame (assuming their identity hasn’t undergone significant changes), their scores should be fairly consistent.
- Content Validity: The AAIS demonstrates content validity by including items that directly tap into the various aspects of Asian American identity as outlined by Oyserman’s tripartite model. The scale covers themes like family emphasis, community connectedness, awareness of racism, and valuing collective success – all considered relevant to this identity.
- Construct Validity: Studies have provided evidence for the construct validity of the AAIS. This means the scale measures what it’s intended to measure (salience of Asian American identity) and not something else entirely. Scores on the AAIS have been shown to correlate with other measures of racial identity and social experiences that are theoretically linked to Asian American identity development.
Limitations to Consider:
It’s important to acknowledge that the AAIS, like any research tool, has limitations.
- Focus on Self-Report: The AAIS relies on self-reported information, which can be susceptible to biases or inaccuracies.
- Limited Scope of Identity: The AAIS primarily focuses on social and familial influences on identity. It might not fully capture the influence of other factors like historical experiences, media portrayals, or individual personality traits.
- Specificity to Asian Americans: While valuable for studying Asian Americans, the AAIS may not be generalizable to other racial/ethnic groups with distinct cultural experiences.
Available Versions
12-Items
Reference
Oyserman, D., & Sakamoto, I. (1997). Being Asian American: Identity, cultural constructs, and stereotype perception. The Journal of applied behavioral science, 33(4), 435-453.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AAIS?
A tool to measure the importance of Asian American identity for an individual.
Who developed it?
Karen A. Oyserman and Isabel H. Sakamoto in 1997.
How does it work?
Participants answer 12 statements on a scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree).
Scores reflect overall strength of Asian American identity and subcategories like family focus and awareness of racism.
How is it administered?
Usually self-reported: participants read and answer questions themselves.
Anonymity and confidentiality are crucial.
Is it reliable and valid?
Yes, studies show good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
The scale measures what it’s intended to (Asian American identity).
Are there limitations?
Yes, it relies on self-report and might not capture all aspects of identity.
The focus is on Asian Americans; it may not apply to other groups.
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