University Research Units Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington Multiculturalism: The cause of social problems or the cure for social ills? Diversity research Overview Aotearoa New Zealand continues to become more culturally, ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse. Diversity research is required to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand remains innovative and competitive on the global stage, while safeguarding social cohesion and wellbeing across our varied communities. This year’s body of research relating to ethnic and cultural diversity provides knowledge that can feed and inform the work of policy and decision-makers at the highest levels. Diversity researchers face a number of challenges. These include ensuring there is increased synergy between researchers and stakeholders as well as addressing the gaps in the production, distribution and application of research by decision-makers. Sufficient funding also continues to be a serious challenge, impacting on the topics selected and the depth of research available. For example, diversity is not recognised in the National Science Challenges, despite being a fundamental area of required focus for Aotearoa New Zealand over the next 20 years. The following is a summary of some of the cultural diversity research published in 2013. It was compiled by Alicia Arnold, Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington. Emerging projects and papers on cultural diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand can be accessed on the CACR website: www.victoria.ac.nz/ cacr. Contributed by Professor Colleen Ward, Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington. This paper examines multiculturalism and its impact on the psychological wellbeing of immigrant youth. Three aspects of multiculturalism are investigated: cultural diversity in the population; multicultural policy and the psychology of everyday multiculturalism (positive and negative attitudes toward immigrants). Alongside the negative effects of perceived discrimination, the results showed that: 1) diversity per se was associated with negative outcomes for immigrant youth (i.e. predicted lower levels of self-esteem); 2) multicultural policies were associated with positive outcomes (i.e. predicted higher levels of self-esteem; and 3) widespread negative attitudes towards immigrants were associated with negative outcomes (i.e. predicted lower levels of life satisfaction). The research directly addresses controversies about multiculturalism and has significant policy implications for immigrant wellbeing. Researchers: Prof. Colleen Ward and Dr Jaimee Stuart Contact: jaimee.stuart@vuw.ac.nz and colleen.ward@vuw.ac.nz Mapping the psychological state of the nation: A barometer test of New Zealand’s multicultural status This study looks at differences in the way ethnic groups view ethnic equality, prejudice and intolerance; positive attitudes toward diversity; patriotism and identity. It found that expectations of race-based rejection were uncommon, intergroup feelings were generally warm, perceived threat was moderately low, expectations for future security were moderate and fairly comparable across groups, and all groups expressed high levels of patriotism. However, New Zealanders resisted a resource-specific multicultural ideology that involves race-based interventions to reduce social inequality. There was also evidence that the level of warmth toward Asian New Zealanders was lower than that toward other ethnic groups. The findings are discussed in relation to socio-political issues, including tensions between biculturalism and multiculturalism and the obstacles to reducing social inequality across ethnic groups. Published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(6), 700-713. Researchers: Dr Chris G. Sibley, Auckland University and Prof. Colleen Ward, Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington Contact: c.sibley@auckland.ac.nz Cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness This research project examines if cultural intelligence (CQ), an ability to adapt and perform effectively in intercultural situations, can predict effectiveness in intercultural negotiations. The researchers paired negotiators from different cultures and New Zealanders to examine the effect of CQ on intercultural negotiations. Findings show that cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness, while controlling for cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and personality. Researchers found that overall CQ drove intercultural negotiation outcomes rather than any one particular factor. The findings also highlighted the importance of both migrants and existing New Zealanders having high cultural intelligence. Contact: Yee-Wei Ooi yee.ooi@vuw.ac.nz and Dr Ronald Fischer ronald.fischer@vuw.ac.nz 60