Social Expectations Among African American, Hispanic, and European American Adolescents

Abstract

Ethnic, gender, and developmental differences in the social expectations of African American, Hispanic, and European American high school students (n = 277) were assessed. Students' responses to 16 brief videotaped scenes of everyday social encounters were categorized to represent four domains: group orientation, expressiveness, assertiveness, and aggressiveness. Significant ethnic differences emerged in each domain: Group-oriented responses were given significantly more often by Hispanic and European American students; expressive and aggressive responses were significantly more frequent among African American and Hispanic students; and assertive responses were more frequent among European Americans compared to African Americans. Males' social expectations were less group oriented and assertive and more expressive and aggressive. Females' expectations for assertiveness increased with grade level. Ethnic and gender differences were similar across youth of different ages. The observed differences are discussed as potential sources of cross-ethnic conflict among high school students.