Journal article

Attitudes towards refugees: Introducing a short three-dimensional scale


Authors listKotzur, Patrick F.; Friehs, Maria-Therese; Schmidt, Peter; Wagner, Ulrich; Poetzschke, Steffen; Weiss, Bernd

Publication year2022

Pages1305-1331

JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology

Volume number61

Issue number4

ISSN0144-6665

eISSN2044-8309

Open access statusGreen

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12538

PublisherWiley


Abstract
Many researchers subscribe to the three-component conceptualization of attitudes, the idea that attitudes have cognitive, affective, and behavioural (intentional) components. Yet, these components are rarely considered simultaneously in scales, especially those measuring attitudes towards refugees. Moreover, it is debated how these components relate to one another. We present the development and validation of a six-item short-scale to measure attitudes towards refugees based on three surveys (Study 1: N = 330; Study 2a: N = 2,083; Study 2b: N = 2,174). We assessed the performance of this scale with respect to three rivalling attitude conceptualizations (one-factor, three-factor, and second-order factor model). We found that a three-factor or second-order factor conceptualization fitted best to the data. The scale had excellent psychometric properties. We hope that our work stimulates a wave of relevant research on attitudes towards refugees that applies this scale, and contributes to the debate on the conceptualization of attitudes in general.



Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleKotzur, P., Friehs, M., Schmidt, P., Wagner, U., Poetzschke, S. and Weiss, B. (2022) Attitudes towards refugees: Introducing a short three-dimensional scale, British Journal of Social Psychology, 61(4), pp. 1305-1331. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12538

APA Citation styleKotzur, P., Friehs, M., Schmidt, P., Wagner, U., Poetzschke, S., & Weiss, B. (2022). Attitudes towards refugees: Introducing a short three-dimensional scale. British Journal of Social Psychology. 61(4), 1305-1331. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12538


Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 11:37