DYNAMICS OF CULTURAL IN-BETWEENITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY*

The Dialectical Theory of Cultural In-Betweenity proposes three main identification patterns among the black intelligentsia: Capitulation to the dominant culture, Revitalization of the indigenous culture, and Radicalization of both so as to arrive at a new and higher synthesis. Three scales corresponding to the identification patterns were constructed and a comparative study was conducted on two college samples. One group consisted of 45 Somali students being trained in the United States. The other group consisted of 57 Somali students being trained in Somalia. Specific hypotheses comparing the two groups were tested and mostly confirmed by means of various psychological instruments. Investigation into the component features of each identification pattern led to further refinement of the theory. Factor analytic explorations suggested the prevalence of distinct ethos, group reference, and self-image within each orientation. Capitalist ethos, elitism, and inferiority complex seem to be characteristic of Capitulation. Traditional ethos, race consciousness, and identity-rumination were delineated for Revitalization. Socialist ethos, class consciousness, and co-optation fears emerged as distinct components of Radicalization. The Dialectical Theory of Cultural In-Betweenity and the empirical findings are then discussed within the broad historical framework of colonialism and racism.