Boundaries to the gateway effect: Perceived dual identity integration shapes the role of biculturals in inter-ethnic relations

Abstract

Introducing a concept of perceived dual identity integration (PDII), we test whether, for biculturals to act as agateway group (GG), their identities should be viewed as blended/harmonized by the majority. We provide correlational evidence that PDII underlies the relation between perception of GG (people of Serb-Bosniak origin) as dually identified and (1) perception of GG as a bridge between Serbs and Bosniaks and (2) feelings toward Bosniaks. Then we experimentally show that exposure to GG with blended/harmonized identity, compared to GG with distanced/conflicted identity, leads to positive feelings toward Bosniaks, via perception of GG as abridge. Thus, if the majority does not perceive integration of adversarial identities as apossibility, biculturals' potential to serve as gateway is lost.