Social Identity Complexity Theory: Attitudes Towards Diversity and Its Relationship with Nationalism, Religiosity, and Aggression

In this study we tested social identity complexity theory (Roccas & Brewer, 2002) in relation to attitudes towards diversity and the associated variables of nationalism, religiosity, and aggression in a cross-cultural study of 397 Malaysian and 240 Australian students. Australians reported higher positive attitudes towards diversity than Malaysians. Diversity was positively associated with nationalism, religiosity, and aggression in Malaysians. Traditional nationalism was negatively associated with diversity in Australians. These results support social identity complexity theory and partially support associated predictions for Australian, while contradicting predictions for Malaysians