The role of demographic groups and ethnocentrism in monetary donations to charity

Abstract

Ethnocentrism is an intergroup interaction in which the in-group is favoured over the out-group. The current research studied the role of demographic groups and ethnocentrism in monetary donations to charity. All 84 participants were University of Malta first year students, all of which were studying Psychology. Participants were mostly females (n = 63), between the ages of 18 and 22. The study employed a quantitative method of data collection which was in the form of a printed questionnaire. The data collection tool gathered information regarding demographics and two attitude scales, one for the level of importance given to charity and the other for the level of interest in other cultures. Finally, the questionnaire included a payoff matrix that was designed to determine the participants’ choice of monetary distribution between the in-group, out-group or equally. Statistical analysis using Chi square tests showed that the association between gender and choice of monetary allocation was statistically significant as was that for identification with religion and monetary donations. However this was not the case for exposure to other cultures and choice of monetary donations. Finally, statistical tests showed that high interest in other cultures did not affect choice of monetary donations but the level of importance given to charity did. These results were discussed and compared to previous research.