COGNITIVE

Optimal distinctiveness theory manifests «self»-categorization theory development, elaborated for the sake of eliciting reasons due to which individuals strive for identifications with social groups as well as for clarifying social identities roles in attaining and maintaining a steady and fixed «self»-concept.

The presented research consists in a factor analysis of in-group ethnocultural identity of Russian and American respondents. The basis for a questionnaire offered to respondents is constituted by Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure by J. Phinney. Degree of the defined factors influence on ethno-cultural identity has been detected.