Journal article

Authors list: Heller, Ayline; Braunheim, Lisa; Decker, Oliver; Braehler, Elmar; Schmidt, Peter

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Ethnic and Racial Studies

ISSN: 0141-9870

eISSN: 1466-4356

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2023.2276221

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 
Contact hypothesis and threat hypothesis are among the most influential theories of xenophobia. The former proposes that intergroup contact may reduce prejudice. The latter suggests that a large outgroup may increase xenophobic attitudes.Using data of a 2018 German representative sample (N = 2,016), we employed multilevel analyses. As predictors, we looked at outgroup size, gross domestic product, and unemployment rate on a county level. On the individual level, we included authoritarianism and a wide range of sociodemographic variables.Individual authoritarianism was identified as the strongest predictor of xenophobic attitudes. On the county level, a higher proportion of migrants was associated with lower values of xenophobia. This serves as an indicator for contact hypothesis. Our results suggest that contextualizing social psychological and micro-sociological theories and employing multilevel analyses are valuable tools to detangle the interplay of individual and contextual influences on xenophobic attitudes.

Harvard Citation style: Heller, A., Braunheim, L., Decker, O., Braehler, E. and Schmidt, P. (2023) Is the migrant share really the problem? Size of migrant population and individual authoritarianism as major determinants of xenophobic attitudes, Ethnic and Racial Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2023.2276221

APA Citation style: Heller, A., Braunheim, L., Decker, O., Braehler, E., & Schmidt, P. (2023). Is the migrant share really the problem? Size of migrant population and individual authoritarianism as major determinants of xenophobic attitudes. Ethnic and Racial Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2023.2276221