Ethnicity, language and intergroup relations in Malaysia and Singapore: A social psychological analysis

Abstract

Abstract Malaysia and Singapore — two multilinguistic, multi‐ethnic and multi‐religious nations — have chosen contrasting approaches to the problems of multiculturalism and nation‐building. Prefaced with an historical and socio‐political background, this paper examines these macro strategies from a social psychological perspective in terms of assimilation and integration, highlighting the issues of ethnicity, language and intergroup relations. Although available empirical research is scarce, a variety of issues in intergroup relations have received, and deserve further, attention: social identity; ethnic group stereotypes; intergroup attributions; and social distance. The available data are integrated with a focus on the Chinese and Malay ethnic groups in both countries. Limited research on language issues is also reviewed, including work on language policy, attitudes and usage. Comparisons between Malaysia and Singapore should be made with great caution, but the offer of rich contrastive data should insp...