Russel Sage Foundation

Beliefs about what makes a “true” American have considerable social, political, and economic implications. For instance, Americans who have more exclusive definitions of national identity are more likely to express discriminatory beliefs and denigrate individuals and groups that are socially marginalized. Sociologist Keitaro Okura will examine how attributes such as race, religion, and political ideology impact whether someone is considered truly American. He will conduct surveys to better understand the boundaries of American identity.