Predictors and consequences of negative attitudes towards immigrants in Beligium and Turkey: The role of accultuation preferences and economic competition

This research tested predictors and consequences of majority members negative attitudes towards immigrants in Belgium and Turkey. It tested a mediation model in which economic competition and a perceived preference of the immigrants for culture maintenance have negative effects on majority members own acculturation preference for integration, and where a perceived preference of the immigrants for contact has a positive effect. The effects of all three predictors were hypothesized to be mediated by negative attitudes toward immigrants. Two survey studies were conducted, one in Belgium (N=106) and one in Turkey (N=93). Results showed that, as hypothesized, `economic competition and a `perceived preference for contact had indirect effects on `own acculturation preference for integration, and `negative attitude was the mediator. `Perceived preference for cultural maintenance had a direct effect on `own acculturation preference.