The Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA)

This instrument was designed to provide independent measures of identification with mainstream and with heritage cultures. It can be used to assess acculturation in immigrants, sojourners, and even general American and Canadian populations.

The following article describes the development and validation of the VIA:

Ryder, A.G., Alden, L.A., & Paulhus, D.L. (2000). Is acculturation unidimensional or bidimensional?: A head-to-head comparison in the prediction of personality, self-identity, and adjustment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 49-65.

For further information contact Andrew Ryder (andrew.ryder@concordia.ca).

To obtain the actual instrument, click here.

Scoring procedure

The heritage subscore is the mean of the odd-numbered items, whereas the mainstream subscore is the mean of the even-numbered items. Researchers studying acculturation in other mainstream contexts may wish to change ‘North American’ to another descriptor such as ‘American’ in the United States or ‘British’ in Great Britain.

 

Last modified September 24, 2008

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