Multidimensional Scaling of Internal Differences in Similarity Data: The Perception of Interethnic Similarity in Indonesia

This paper deals with statistical data analysis in anthropology and the perception of interethnic similarity in Indonesia. It is an introduction to nonmetric multidimensional scaling of aggregated similarity data, and an exposition of the INDSCAL model of multidimensional scaling of internal differences ("intracultural variability") in disaggregated similarity information. Both models are applied to statements on interethnic similarity elicited from members of two Indonesian ethnic groups. The analysis results in showing the dimensions underlying the perception of interethnic similarity and the degree of inter- and intraethnic differences among the subjects.