Does Framing Integration in Pro-Diversity Terms Improve Attitudes Toward Newcomers? Assessing the Effects of Canadian Multiculturalism & Québécois Interculturalism

Date
2014-12-19
Authors
Scott, Colin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Guelph
Abstract

Empirical research suggests that the way in which integration policies are framed with respect to their support for diversity can have a positive role in strengthening intergroup relations. In this thesis I outline the situational and individual factors that affect attitudes toward immigrants and present a survey experiment to asses the impact of several integration frames on measures of intergroup attitudes, feelings and evaluations under threatening and non-threatening conditions. Hierarchical moderated multiple regression analyses support existing research that integration frames can improve attitudes toward immigrants by reducing the relationship between social dominance orientation and prejudice, but not zero-sum belief and multicultural ideology; this effect increased as the hierarchy-attenuating nature of the integration frame increased. Findings are framed within the Canadian context by comparing Canada’s multicultural model of immigrant integration with the emerging model of interculturalism in Québec.

Description
Keywords
Integration, Immigration, Interculturalism, Multiculturalism, Social Dominance Orientation, Intergroup Ideologies
Citation