From Binary to Multidimensional: Reframing Latino Acculturation in Political Science

This dissertation challenges prevailing binary acculturation models in Latino political science research, which fail to capture the complexity of Latino acculturation. It introduces the Multidimensional Latino Acculturation Model (MLAM), a framework acknowledging diverse acculturation pathways. The MLAM considers four acculturation orientations, emphasizing hybrid identities such as Bicultural and newly identified Demicultural orientations, validated using data from the 2006 Latino National Survey (LNS) with 4,785 participants.

Through innovative non-parametric methodologies and comparative cluster analysis, including Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) and K-Means clustering, the MLAM captures the nuance and fluidity of Latino identities. The analysis demonstrates robust empirical support for well-defined clusters, confirmed through metrics such as the Silhouette Score, Dunn Index, and Calinski-Harabasz Index. The empirical results reveal critical flaws in traditional binary models, showing that three-quarters of Latinos are not represented by binary acculturation frameworks. Robustness checks further validate the stability of these acculturation orientations.

1 The study connects acculturation orientations to political identities and issuefocused cross-pressures, offering a nuanced understanding of Latino political behavior. Bicultural individuals exhibit strong identification with both Latino and American identities and show robust support for immigrants and lenient immigration policies. In contrast, Demicultural individuals display moderate identification with both cultures, less support for immigrants and lenient immigration policies, and more varied political behaviors.

This research advances a decolonial and empirically robust framework that enhances understanding of Latino acculturation and its political implications. The MLAM's utility in examining political behaviors demonstrates its potential to transform future research in Latino acculturation studies and broader social science research. These findings have significant implications for research, suggesting a need for more nuanced approaches to understanding and addressing Latino political behavior and acculturation.

本论文对拉美政治学研究中盛行的二元文化融合模型提出挑战，这些模型未能捕捉到拉美文化融合的复杂性。论文引入了多维拉美文化融合模型（MLAM），该框架承认多样化的文化融合路径。MLAM考虑了四种文化融合取向，强调如双语和新兴的多元文化取向等混合身份，这些取向通过2006年拉美国家调查（LNS）中的数据（包含4,785名参与者）进行验证。通过创新的非参数方法以及比较聚类分析，包括高斯混合模型（GMM）和K-Means聚类，MLAM捕捉了拉美身份的微妙性和流动性。分析展示了对于明确定义的集群的稳健经验支持，通过轮廓分数、Dunn指数和Calinski-Harabasz指数等指标得到证实。实证结果表明，传统二元模型存在关键缺陷，表明四分之三的拉美人不能被二元文化融合框架所代表。稳健性检验进一步验证了这些文化融合取向的稳定性。该研究将文化融合取向与政治身份和问题导向的交叉压力联系起来，为拉美政治行为提供了细腻的理解。双语个体对拉美和美利坚身份均表现出强烈的认同，并对移民和宽松的移民政策给予稳健的支持。相比之下，多元文化个体对两种文化均表现出适度的认同，对移民和宽松的移民政策支持较少，并展现出更加多样的政治行为。本研究提出了一种去殖民化和经验稳健的框架，增强了我们对拉美文化融合及其政治影响的了解。MLAM在考察政治行为方面的效用展示了其在改造未来拉美文化融合研究以及更广泛的社会科学研究中的潜力。这些发现对研究具有重大意义，表明需要采用更加细腻的方法来理解和应对拉美政治行为和文化融合问题。