The benefits of studying immigration for social psychology

Abstract

This Agenda article argues that studying the continuing world‐wide migration and the resulting cultural diversity has specific benefits for social psychology: it raises new questions for the field, introduces new topics of research, and challenges conventional ways of thinking. The argument is developed in relation to four issues. The first one relates to the literature on ethnic and civic nationhood and the importance for social psychology to study citizenship and lay understandings of genetics. The second issue relates to the social psychological literature on threat and prejudice and the relative lack of interest in prosocial behavior and intergroup toleration. Third, the limiting implications of the majority–minority schematic framework that dominates in social psychology are discussed. Finally, the relevance of studying immigration for the evidentiary value movement that has developed in response to the current ‘crisis’ in (social) psychology is discussed.

How positive and negative contact experiences relate to identification and acculturation of persons with a migration background: Differentiating between majority, minority, and religious group identity

“…Our research is in line with the call by Verkuyten (2018) who states that research on migration and cultural diversity has specific benefits for social psychology, and that social psychological research should examine these matters in greater detail than before, for example by a stronger focus on intra-group processes and positive intergroup attitudes. Our research is in line with the call by Verkuyten (2018) who states that research on migration and cultural diversity has specific benefits for social psychology, and that social psychological research should examine these matters in greater detail than before, for example by a stronger focus on intra-group processes and positive intergroup attitudes.…”

“…Taken together, this contribution aims to further develop and to promote integrative theory-building to predict acculturation in the context of migration. Our research is in line with the call by Verkuyten (2018) who states that research on migration and cultural diversity has specific benefits for social psychology, and that social psychological research should examine these matters in greater detail than before, for example by a stronger focus on intra-group processes and positive intergroup attitudes. Toward this end, we first review theory and research on majority and minority group contact, and then discuss how it links with acculturation attitudes.…”

The wealth paradox: Prosperity and opposition to immigration

“…In particular, later in this agenda article, I will argue that as social psychologists interested in developing our knowledge base, we should be vigilant (i) not to adopt a narrow social psychological focus when explaining support for populism, nor should we (ii) ignore specifics of local contexts in a search for universality (see Verkuyten, 2018 for similar points). In particular, later in this agenda article, I will argue that as social psychologists interested in developing our knowledge base, we should be vigilant (i) not to adopt a narrow social psychological focus when explaining support for populism, nor should we (ii) ignore specifics of local contexts in a search for universality (see Verkuyten, 2018 for similar points).…”

“…However, it is also clear that, in developing that agenda, we need to be mindful of a number of traps. In particular, later in this agenda article, I will argue that as social psychologists interested in developing our knowledge base, we should be vigilant (i) not to adopt a narrow social psychological focus when explaining support for populism, nor should we (ii) ignore specifics of local contexts in a search for universality (see Verkuyten, 2018 for similar points). In moving the field forward, triangulation and engagement with other research fields as well as openness to different ways in which psychological drivers may manifest will be important.…”

Immigrants’ behavioral participation and its relation with national identification: Perceived closeness to the prototype as a psychological mechanism

“…One possible explanation for this might be that feeling competent in using the national language with families and friends is less relevant for perceived acceptance as a co-national than for perceived similarities. A social identity requires competent enactment and validation by members of the new group (Klein et al, 2007;Verkuyten, 2018b). Perceived acceptance as a co-national is likely to depend more on the actual reactions of members of the receiving country, which would require assessing language usage with them.…”