Abstract:
Contemporary research on acculturation tended to focus on the
sojourners' or immigrants' perspectives on adaptation. The current dissertation
however, centers on recipient nationals' attitudes toward immigrants and
perceptions of multiculturalism. Three distinctive frameworks to study host
nationals' perceptions are adopted; they include: (1) intergroup relations, (2)
individual differences, and (3) cultural differences. Five separate studies were
done based on the three frameworks using attitudes toward Chinese immigrants
as the dependent measure in all except the final study. Based on the intergroup
framework, Study 1 and 2 examined the influence of intergroup contact, national
pride, perceived permeability, fairness, threat and host community acculturation
strategies. Results showed that decreased contact and increased threat
predicted less favorable perception towards immigrants (Study 1); respondents
who espoused a need for immigrant assimilation and exclusionism, and those
who adopted a less individualistic perception towards migration tended to
express a more negative attitude (Study 2). Based on an individual differences
framework, Study 3 and 4 examined the influence of social dominance
orientation, self-esteem, individualism-collectivism, national pride and personal
values. Increased self-esteem and collectivism predicted more favorable
attitudes toward immigrants, and increased social dominance orientation
predicted less favourable perceptions among host nationals who rated high on
individualism (Study 3); respondents who placed greater emphases on security
and achievement motivation have expressed more negative attitudes, but endorsement of stimulation value predicted more favourable perceptions (Study
4). In the final study, cultural differences were adopted as correlates of
attitudes. Secondary data from the Eurobarometer (2000) and Schwartz's and
Hofstede's typologies of cultural differences were used. Based on Schwartz's
model, increased mastery was associated with less multicultural optimism;
increased egalitarian commitment was linked to lesser support for policies that
promote co-existence; and increased harmony was related to less demand for
cultural assimilation. Based on Hofstede's model, increased masculinity was
associated with less multicultural optimism and lower demand for cultural
assimilation; and increased uncertainty avoidance was related to decreased
multicultural optimism. Overall, two broad dimensions of acculturation
experience have emerged from the research, first one is based on an 'invasion'
perspective and the second one reflects an 'enrichment' experience.
