What does it mean to be Australian : a critical analysis of prominent Australians' perspectives

Australia has become one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world. Much debate has arisen regarding what is an “Australian national identity”? Questions, which have stimulated this debate, have arisen from social and governmental policies regarding such factors as multiculturalism, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, asylum seekers, and whether Australia should become a Republic. Past research into Australian national identity has concentrated on historical and cultural variables, and as such has not critically analysed national identity from a psychological perspective. The Self-concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation (SELF) Research Centre is undertaking a large-scale study of national identity funded by the Australian Research Council which aims to capitalise on advances in self-concept theory, social identity theory and discrepancy theory to elucidate transgenerational and transcultural perceptions of what it means to be an Australian. The study reported in this paper is a component of the larger in-progress study. This study aimed to elucidate the perceptions of a cross-section of prominent Australians (N = 50) in relation to what it means to them to be an Australian. Based on content analysis the findings indicate that considerations in the formation of national identity include: Defining who we are as Australians, social cohesion, self-categorisation, and national identity within a global framework.