What is Multidimensional Inventory of Black identity (MMRI)

Sellers et al. (1997) identifies four dimensions: identity salience, the centrality of identity, the ideology associated with the identity, and the regard in which the person holds African Americans. Centrality measures the extent to which a person normatively defines her or himself with regard to race. Racial salience refers to the extent to which a person’s race is a relevant part of her or his self-concept in a particular situation. MMRI theorizes that the more central a person’s Racial identity, the more likely it is to become salient in racially ambiguous situations. Regard refers to the extent to which a person feels positively or negatively towards African Americans and their membership in that group. There are two components of regard: private (how the individual feels about his or her own race) and public (how others feel about the race). Ideology is the individual’s philosophy about the ways in which African Americans should live and interact with other people in society. The four philosophies include nationalist (emphasizes the importance and uniqueness of being of African descent); oppressed minority (emphasizes commonalities between African Americans and other oppressed groups worldwide); assimilationist (emphasizes commonalities between African Americans and the rest of American Society); and humanist (emphasizes the commonalities of all humans). MMRI theorizes that individuals are likely to hold a number of philosophies that vary across situations.

The Internet, Black Identity, and the Evolving Discourse of the Digital Divide

Lynette Kvasny (The Pennsylvania State University, USA) and Kayla D. Hales (The Pennsylvania State University, USA)