Study Design and Structure

The Cult Open Survey employs a robust and multi-faceted approach to examining identity, intercultural competence, and prejudice across Europe. Our methodology is designed to ensure both depth and breadth, leveraging established and validated scales to gather comprehensive data. Below, we provide an overview of the survey structure and its individual components, intended for researchers interested in the study.

The central research question of the study is whether classical findings from psychological research on the relationships between identity, intercultural competence, and prejudice can be generalized across Europe when Eastern European perspectives are taken into account.

Additional questions include how people in Europe perceive and shape their own identity in a multicultural context, what skills and attitudes enable effective and respectful interaction between individuals of different cultural backgrounds in Europe, and what underlying factors influence attitudes toward diversity as a central component of the European ideal.

Structure of the Survey

• Introduction and Informed Consent: The survey begins with an introduction that outlines the study's goals, importance, and conditions of participation. Participants are informed of their rights, including anonymity and voluntary participation, before providing their informed consent.
• Demographic questions
• Measures of Intergroup Contact/ General Intergroup Contact Quantity and Contact Quality Scale (Lolliot et al., 2014; Islam & Hewstone, 1993)
• The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) (Phinney, 1992)
• Cultural Intelligence Scale Short Form (Van Dyne et al., 2008)
• Acculturation Strategy Scale (Van Dick et al., 1997)
• Scale “Social Identity” (Orth, Broszkiewicz & Schütte, 1996)
• Blatant and subtle prejudice items (Pettigrew & Meertens, 1995)
• Scale Xenophobia (Short-Survey by Wetzels, Gabriel & Pfeiffer (1998))
• Multicultural Personality Questionnaire MPQ-SF (Van der Zee et al., 2013)

Methodological Rigor

The inclusion of established, validated scales ensures reliability and comparability with existing research. By integrating diverse measures, the survey provides a holistic view of intercultural competence, identity, and prejudice across European populations.

Research Implications

The comprehensive design of the Cult Open Survey makes it a valuable tool for researchers studying intercultural interactions. It offers insights that can inform interventions, policies, and educational programs aimed at fostering inclusivity and understanding in diverse societies.

We encourage fellow researchers to engage with our study and collaborate in expanding this important field of inquiry.