The double-edged effect of intergroup similarity: Muslim and Christian immigrants’ acculturation preferences on intergroup relations in Sweden

A teacher-led vicarious contact intervention in culturally mixed classrooms with in- and outgroup role models of intergroup friendship

“…However, until now, the independent effects of in-and outgroup role models of vicarious contact have been studied neither among majority nor minority members in a naturalistic setting. Previous research has corroborated the evidence for improved outgroup attitudes through positive outgroup role models, who are experienced as relatively prototypical of the outgroup (McIntyre, Paolini, & Hewstone, 2016; see also Mastro & Tukachinsky, 2011) or who are perceived to favour contact with the ingroup (Olsson, Matera, Tip, & Brown, 2017), but to our knowledge, this has not been studied in field experiments.…”

Does religion matter? Italians’ responses towards Muslim and Christian Arab immigrants as a function of their acculturation preferences

“…In the present research, we aim to extend previous research from Sweden (Olsson et al, 2019) to a new sociocultural context, Italy. We expect the cultural context to influence intergroup relations.…”

“…The acculturation strategy immigrants are perceived to adopt seems to play a major role in shaping intergroup attitudes (Kosic, Mannetti, & Sam, 2005;van Oudenhoven, Prins, & Buunk, 1998;Zagefka & Brown, 2002). Experimental evidence has shown that majority members' attitudes are more influenced by immigrants' desire for intergroup contact than culture maintenance (Matera, Stefanile, & Brown, 2011;Olsson, Matera, Tip, & Brown, 2019). Immigrants who are perceived to desire contact with members of the receiving society are perceived as less threatening to majority members' traditional way of life, which leads to more favourable intergroup attitudes (Matera et al, 2011;Olsson et al, 2019).…”

“…Experimental evidence has shown that majority members' attitudes are more influenced by immigrants' desire for intergroup contact than culture maintenance (Matera, Stefanile, & Brown, 2011;Olsson, Matera, Tip, & Brown, 2019). Immigrants who are perceived to desire contact with members of the receiving society are perceived as less threatening to majority members' traditional way of life, which leads to more favourable intergroup attitudes (Matera et al, 2011;Olsson et al, 2019). Immigrants' desire for cultural maintenance, which has been found to have only a minor impact on intergroup attitudes, might pose an obstacle to multiculturalism in the receiving country when higher cultural distance is perceived between the minority and the majority group (Van Osch & Breugelmans, 2012).…”

“…Recently, Olsson et al (2019) considered the role of immigrants' religion in shaping majority members' intergroup attitudes in Sweden. Majority members reported greater support for multiculturalism when Muslim immigrants were shown to desire high levels of contact.…”