Elements of Latinidad: Conceptualizing and Measuring Within-Group Status in Latine Politics

In this study, I explore a novel theoretical contribution of Latine within-group status hierarchies its impact on politics. I investigate how a Latine’s perceived sense of status influences their political values, behaviors, policy preferences, and ideology. I seek to uncover variation at the individual level through the individual’s perception of status vis-à-vis other members of the group. I expect that Latines with a higher perception of status relative to other members of the Latine identity group will express political values and behaviors that, in effect, distance themselves from other members of the group. That is, they will be more likely to support nativist policies, express negative value orientations regarding other Latines, express less willingness to behave in ways that support other members of the group, and identify more conservatively.