SAGE Publications, Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 2(16), p. 192-208, 2012
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I and most Australians want our immigration policy radically reviewed and that of multicul-turalism abolished. I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians…. They have their own culture and religion … A truly mul-ticultural country can never be strong or united. (Hanson, 1996) The integration of immigrants and minorities into mainstream society remains a controversial issue in countries around the world. How can a society best accommodate intergroup difference while still maintaining harmonious relations? Minority and majority group members tend to hold different views on how intergroup differ-ence should be managed (e.g., Plaut, Thomas, & Goren, 2009). Evidence suggests that majority Abstract Three studies examined how minority group members' acculturation strategies are shaped by the extent to which they perceive differences between their cultural values and the values of majority society. In line with the creative distinctiveness hypothesis (Spears, Jetten, Scheepers, and Cihangir, 2009), perceived difference among country migrant workers in China was positively associated with endorsement of an integration strategy (Study 1). Among Chinese immigrants in Australia (Study 2), a positive association was found between perceived difference and willingness to integrate only among those who were less identified with the superordinate category. Study 3 manipulated Asian international students' perceived cultural value difference between their group and the Australian majority, and replicated Study 2 findings. Especially among those who are less committed to the superordinate group, then, knowing how the minority group is different can facilitate willingness to integrate into the majority culture.