All Americans are Not Perceived as “True” Americans: Implications for Policy

The United States is a nation of immigrants with significant ethnic and racial diversity. Yet, American identity associated European-Americans their cultural values, defining minorities as less American. Experiences denial are negative mental physical health outcomes, well lower political civic engagement. Perceptions prototypical American-ness link to wide range social policy about language, affirmative action, redistribution. A psychological perspective analyzes the contexts that promote exclusive conceptions identity, it focuses on individual people who make up these contexts. Policies recognize minority-group cultures acknowledge historical injustices against them can inclusive identity.