Regional Differences Matter

Abstract

In this study, we examine which role the size of the immigrant population plays in explaining immigrant derogation within and between European regions. We draw upon group threat- and intergroup contact theory to consider the following question: does a larger size of immigrant population increase perceived group threat and thereby lead to greater immigrant derogation? Or does it increase intergroup contact and thereby ameliorate immigrant derogation? We test the empirical adequacy of these alternative suggestions using regionalized European Social Survey 2002 and official data which will be analyzed by means of multilevel structural equation modeling. Within regions, our results confirm that perceived group threat increases subsequent immigrant derogation. Likewise, intergroup contact reduces perceived group threat and thereby amends such derogation of immigrants. Between regions, our findings show that a larger size of the immigrant population increases both greater perceived group threat and intergroup contact. At the same time, the effects of perceived group threat and intergroup contact on immigrant derogation resemble those found within regions. In sum, these results lend evidence to the generalizability of both group threat- and contact effects. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

Diverse Workplaces and Interethnic Friendship Formation—A Multilevel Comparison across 21 OECD Countries

“…The ESS has been used extensively to explore how interethnic friendship networks (however achieved) affect perceived group threat and prejudice towards immigrants among native-born populations (e.g., Schneider 2008; Schlueter and Wagner 2008;Semyonov and Glikman 2009). The data-set has also been used to explore the effects of neighbourhood and regional diversity on the likelihood of having immigrant friends (Schlueter and Wagner 2008;Semyonov and Glikman 2009). Given our interest in workplace diversity and native-born populations, we have excluded from our models respondents who do not work, as well as all immigrant respondents (those who are born abroad).…”

“…Empirically, the relative level of resource scarcity consistently predicts perceived group threat and anti-immigrant sentiments in the European context (Quillian 1995;Schneider 2008;Schlueter and Wagner 2008;Semyonov and Glikman 2009; see Ceobanu and Escandell 2010 for an overview of the research). Hence, we expect the following to be true: (H3) The positive effect of workplace diversity on the likelihood of having immigrant friends is amplified among native-born individuals in countries characterized by relative resource scarcity.…”

What factors explain anti-Muslim prejudice? An assessment of the effects of Muslim population size, institutional characteristics and immigration-related media claims

“…Presumably, such intergroup competition results in manifest anti-minority prejudice. To date, a considerable number of cross-national studies on anti-immigrant attitudes provide evidence for the assumption that a larger immigrant group size increases various forms of anti-immigrant attitudes (Quillian 1995;Semyonov, Raijman, and Gorodzeisky 2006;Schlueter and Wagner 2008). However, more recent studies tend to find less support for the presumed nexus between immigrant group size and anti-immigrant attitudes (e.g.…”

“…Interestingly, an alternative theoretical perspective suggests that a larger minority group size might actually improve anti-minority attitudes. Specifically, intergroup contact theory (Pettigrew 1998) has been linked to the proposition that a larger minority group size is often associated with an increased chance for personal, positive intergroup contacts (Blau and Schwartz 1984;Schlueter and Wagner 2008). Such contacts,and intergroup friendships in particular,are well-known as channels to improve intergroup attitudes (Pettigrew 1998;Pettigrew and Tropp 2006).…”

Articulated antipathies: Political influence on anti-immigrant attitudes

“…While some studies find immigrant population size to have a significant impact (Quillian, 1995;Semyonov et al, 2006), others give no or limited support to the idea that large immigrant populations raise the levels of negative attitudes (Hjerm, 2007;Sides and Citrin, 2007). In fact, other studies show that a large share of immigrants, in combination with close intergroup contacts, may facilitate tolerance and solidarity rather than raise feelings of threat (Pettigrew, 1998;Schlueter and Wagner, 2008;Wagner et al, 2006). Conversely, a small immigrant population can be perceived as highly threatening if they are believed to somehow violate laws and basic principles of society, damage the culture, or challenge the livelihood of the majority population (Triandafyllidou, 1998).…”