The community of the Chinese nation represents a high-level shared group constructed by various ethnicities on the foundation of ethnic identity, which itself exhibits a hierarchical structure. The ethnic identity of marginal ethnic groups arises through complex processes of change, leading to varying levels of consciousness regarding the community of the Chinese nation. The Yugur people, associated with Mongolian and Uyghur origins but significantly influenced by Tibetan and Han cultures, offer a unique perspective due to their marginal characteristics and spatially intertwined multi-ethnic living patterns. These characteristics make the Yugur population a valuable subject for investigating the formation and development of the community for the Chinese nation. This study examined the container metaphor, the differential mode of association, and the factors influencing the ethnic identity of Yugur middle school students from marginal ethnic groups. The findings aim to provide a theoretical basis for strategies to strengthen awareness of the Chinese nation’s community.
Three experiments were conducted to investigate the ethnic identity of Yugur middle school students. In Experiment 1, the spatial Stroop paradigm was applied to examine the container metaphor and the differential mode of association in their ethnic identity, involving 117 participants (Mage = 15.32 ± 1.64 years). Upon confirming the existence of these phenomena, Mongolian, Tibetan, Han, Uyghur, and Hui ethnic groups were selected as experimental materials to explore the influences of inter-ethnic contact, ethnic origin relationships, language, and religion on the differential mode of association for ethnic identity. Experiment 2 (N = 146, Mage = 15.04 ± 1.76 years) employed a graphic classification task to investigate ethnic cognition, while Experiment 3 (N = 188, Mage = 14.79 ± 1.78 years) utilized a street distance test to examine ethnic emotion.
The results of Experiment 1 demonstrated that Yugur middle school students responded significantly faster to the names of their own ethnic group, other local ethnic groups, and other ethnic groups in China when presented inside a circle compared to outside it. Conversely, responses to the names of foreign ethnic groups were significantly slower when presented inside the circle than outside. The reaction times from fastest to slowest were observed for their own ethnic group, other local ethnic groups, other ethnic groups in China, and foreign ethnic groups. These findings indicated that Yugur middle school students have constructed a high-level common ingroup, the “community for the Chinese nation,” and an internal differential mode of association in ethnic identity encompassing their own ethnic group, other local ethnic groups, and other ethnic groups in China. Experiment 2 revealed that students tended to use the same graphical representation for Yugur, Tibetan, Han, and Mongolian ethnic groups, suggesting that inter-ethnic contact and religious belief were primary influencing factors at the cognitive level of ethnic identity. Ethnic origin played a moderate role, while minority language exerted minimal influence. Experiment 3 indicated that students were more likely to assign houses closer to their own home to Mongolian and Tibetan groups, highlighting that religious belief and inter-ethnic contact were key factors influencing the emotional and behavioral levels of ethnic identity, with ethnic origin playing a secondary role and minority language having a minor impact.
In summary, Yugur middle school students have formed a high-level common ingroup, the “community for the Chinese nation,” and an internal differential mode of association in their ethnic identity. Religious belief and inter-ethnic contact emerged as the most significant factors shaping this differential mode of association, particularly among marginalized ethnic groups.