Eva G. T. Green, Juan Manuel Falomir-Pichastor and Anita Manatschal

Societal Norms as Predictors of Behavior and Attitudes regarding Migration among National Majorities and Immigrants

Project Summary

Increasing global migration streams have multiplied the landscape of possible identities, and can raise fear and opposition, as well as compassion and support. Understanding how national majorities in destination countries and immigrants react to these social transformations remains a challenge. Our project examines how and under what circumstances societal norms of inclusion or exclusion affect attitudes and behavior related to migration, among national majorities and immigrants, both from a Swiss and international comparative perspective.

The first subproject focuses on migration policies and shared majority representations as antecedents of immigration attitudes across nations and in Switzerland. The second one looks at the influence of political positions covered by media on attitudes towards immigration and political parties. Subproject three investigates exclusionary social norms in Switzerland, and non-citizens’ well-being and (im-)mobility intentions and behavior. Finally, an affiliated project explores different explanations of why immigrants oppose immigration.

Scientific Poster 2022 (PDF)

Key Findings:

  • Anti-immigrant prejudice was lower when higher levels of immigrant presence are coupled with inclusive integration policies.
  • Anti-immigrant political positions covered by media often fuel anti-immigrant attitudes.
  • Exposure to inclusive integration policies strengthens immigrants’ inclusion and their political ties to Switzerland.
  • Measured impact of inclusive integration policies improved labour market inclusion, language skills and psychological wellbeing of provisionally admitted individuals, and increased attachment, naturalization intention and sedentary tendency of immigrants.

Project-related scientific publications