Do Pan-Ethnic Categories Work? An Experimental Test of Symbolic Bureaucratic Representation and Latino Identity(-ies)

Abstract

Studies on symbolic representation suggest that the presence of members from underrepresented groups in government organizations can improve citizens’ perceptions of government. While relevant studies in this area have typically treated pan-Latino ethnic background as a singular identity, scholars of representation in other venues argue that identity tied to national origin plays a more significant role in shaping citizens’ attitudes. We report results from a pre-registered survey experiment conducted with a sample of 936 Latino respondents, aimed at testing whether using a pan-Latino identity is appropriate when examining how symbolic representation shapes government perceptions among individuals from different Latin American backgrounds. Findings suggest that pan-ethnic identity increases approval and perceived efficacy of the individual police officer encountered, but neither pan-ethnic identity nor identity based on shared national origin significantly affect trust in the broader institution of the police. We discuss the implications of these findings.