A Look at Interethnic Contact and Social Distance in Vision School Environment in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the interethnic adaptation and friendship patterns of students in the Malaysian Vision School setting. A total of 541 primary students from 11 schools within five different Vision School complexes participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from the students. Findings of friendship patterns indicate that students are more inclined towards their own ethnicity rather than students from different ethnic groups. In terms of adaptation, students prefer and choose to befriend others within their own ethnicity. It is clear that the strong preference for in-group friendship thereby draws boundaries and creates social distance among students.