What is an “appropriate” migrant? Impact of the adoption of meritocratic worldviews by potential newcomers on their perceived ability to integrate into a Western society

Abstract

The acceptance of migrant populations and the definition of an "appropriate" migrant are controversial issues in many countries. The present research focuses on the ideological determinants of how newcomers are evaluated by a host population in a Western country with a strongly rooted meritocratic ideology. We carried out two studies to examine how the expression of meritocratic beliefs by a male potential migrant affects the way he is evaluated by the host population. We measured the host population's perception of the potential migrant's ability to integrate into society, his tendency to adopt the host country's culture, and the general desirability of his world vision for all newcomers. We also noted the host population's judgments of the target's agency and communality. The results showed that a potential newcomer who expresses a strong (vs. weak) belief in a just world (Study 1) or an internal (vs. external) locus of control (Study 2) is evaluated more favorably by the host population. In addition, judgments of the target's integration capacity were only mediated by his perceived agency. We discuss these results in the light of work on the meritocratic ideology and intercultural relations.

Are victims also judged more positively if they say their lives are just?

“…Research on PBJW expression has consistently shown that non-victimized targets are judged as having more social value if they say their lives are generally versus rarely just (Alves & Correia, 2010aTesté et al, 2012;Testé & Perrin, 2013). Specifically, they are judged to a higher extent as having both what it takes to be successful (i.e., social utility) and what it takes to be liked (i.e., social desirability) (Beauvois, 1995;Beauvois & Dépret, 2008;Cambon, 2006).…”

“…Specifically, bogus university students who expressed high versus low PBJW were judged as more socially useful and desirable (Alves & Correia, 2010a;Testé, Maisonneuve, Assilaméhou, & Perrin, 2012;Testé & Perrin, 2013; see also Alves & Correia, 2013). Furthermore, individuals used higher scores of PBJW to convey general and specific positive (versus negative) images of themselves (Alves & Correia, 2008, 2010b.…”

“…To our knowledge at least, most research on the social value of PBJW expression has used targets simply presented as university students (e.g., Alves & Correia, 2010a; for an exception, see Testé et al, 2012). Thus, these targets have most probably been perceived as non-victims.…”

Constructivist Approach to the Problem of Social Psychological Adaptation of Migrants

“…Five factors were identified in psycho-social model of behavior of migrants: (1) perception of threat to living conditions (dissatisfaction with domestic and financial position); (2) anticipated benefits of migration; (3) possible migration barriers (religion, finding a paid job); (4) events that trigger migration (calls to action) -motivation, personality and interpersonal relationships; (5) self-confidence (self-sufficiency) -understanding that life can be changed, planned, monitored.The authors believe that this model will help to better understand the intentions and decision-making strategies of migrants, possibilities of their social psychological adaptation, thus expanding the basis for an optimal migration policy (Groenewold, de Bruijn, & Bilsborrow, 2012). Samantha Perrin (2012) studied the effects of meritocratic beliefs of migrants from North Africa who migrated to France, the ability to integrate into Western society. According to the author's studies, social psychological adaptation was more successful among migrants with a belief that in a society in the course of evolution the principle of promotion of the most capable people, selected from all social strata, to senior positions has established.…”

“…According to the author's studies, social psychological adaptation was more successful among migrants with a belief that in a society in the course of evolution the principle of promotion of the most capable people, selected from all social strata, to senior positions has established. Such people adopted the culture of a host country and built personal relationships with people of this country more easily (Perrin, 2012). Thus, the influence of social attitudes and beliefs of migrants on the success of their adaptation was proved.…”