Status Discrepancy,Political Behavior,and Ethno-Religious Factionalism of Immigrants

Abstract

The kind and direction of reactions of status discrepant persons to their social position are conditioned by their self-perception which reflects the effects of background factors prior to the changes in their social standing. The greater the awareness of status discrepancy the greater the probability that status discrepant persons will intensify their social activities. Depending upon their self-perception and prospects for the realization of their aspirations, status discrepant persons may become attracted to either political liberalism or political conservativism. The negative status discrepancy which has resulted under the pressure of forces outside the control of status discrepant persons will most probably lead to political conservativism. If status discrepancy is accompanied by status ambiguity and role confusion of a significant number of members of a group anomic factionalism may ensue.