Sociopolitical change and perceived vitality

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of how ethnic groups cognitively represent some of the societal forces impinging upon them and relevant outgroups before and after a naturally-occurring event. By utilizing the concept of “vitality” and its attending measurement instrument (the SVQ), Chinese Hong Kong students were required to rate the perceived vitalities of Chinese and Western groups in the Colony as well as their respective languages before and after the Sino-British Treaty. Results showed that the status of the English language was perceived lower in a number of situations after the international agreement. This was complemented by a decrease in the perceived level of immigration and emigration patterns of Westerners, by an increase in their perceived political power locally, and by an increase in the status of the English language internationally. The findings, many of which manifest judgemental reversals from before to after the Treaty, are discussed in terms of the psychological acceptance of the agreement by the Hong Chinese and in the context of maintaining a positive ethnic identity.