The perception of ethnic diversity and anti-immigrant sentiments: a multilevel analysis of local communities in Belgium

Most of the literature suggests a positive relationship between immigrant concentration and anti-immigrant sentiments. The main goal of this study is to investigate the impact of both perceived and actual size of migrant populations on anti-immigrant sentiments. A representative survey of inhabitants of local communities in the Flemish region of Belgium shows a strong tendency to overestimate the presence of non-nationals. The survey allows us to conclude that respondents living in ethnically diverse communities do not have more negative attitudes towards immigrants. Individuals who perceive m... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Hooghe, Marc
de Vroome, Thomas
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2015
Schlagwörter: ethnic diversity / community / group conflict theory / Belgium / anti-immigrant sentiments / INTERGROUP CONTACT THEORY / GROUP THREAT / MINORITY POPULATIONS / EUROPEAN SOCIETIES / PERCEIVED THREAT / RACIAL PREJUDICE / WESTERN-EUROPE / GROUP CONFLICT / OUTGROUP SIZE / RELATIVE SIZE / Taverne
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28961721
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
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Link(s) : https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/314566

Most of the literature suggests a positive relationship between immigrant concentration and anti-immigrant sentiments. The main goal of this study is to investigate the impact of both perceived and actual size of migrant populations on anti-immigrant sentiments. A representative survey of inhabitants of local communities in the Flemish region of Belgium shows a strong tendency to overestimate the presence of non-nationals. The survey allows us to conclude that respondents living in ethnically diverse communities do not have more negative attitudes towards immigrants. Individuals who perceive more immigrants to be present in their communities are more hostile even after controlling for reported contact with members of immigrant groups. We can therefore conclude that the perceived size of the immigrant group has a stronger impact on anti-immigrant sentiments than the actual presence of ethnic minority groups.