Same but different: The dehumanised perception of immigrants, attitudes towards interpersonal relationships, and inclusion policies

Abstract

The current complex migration context requires a deep knowledge of the attitudes and beliefs of the receiving societies, to create reception policies that ensure coexistence, protection of the living conditions and human rights of all groups involved. This requires analysing and distinguishing the social perception of different migrant groups, hypothesising significant differences between them according to their origin. We also expect that the differences in the image of each group will be linked to predisposition to interpersonal interaction and to support of inclusive immigration policies. A sample of 320 residents (76.3 % women) responded to a questionnaire that included a humanity scale, along with other perceptual and attitudinal variables, such as global liking, perception of threat, moral exclusion, social distance and support for inclusive migration policies, in relation to four context-relevant groups: Moroccans, Senegalese, Venezuelans and Ukrainians. The results showed significant differences between the migrant groups, with the Moroccan presenting the most negative image in terms of dehumanisation, dislike, perception of threat and moral exclusion. The regression analysis showed that dehumanisation and disliking were the most powerful predictors for social distance, whereas moral exclusion, realistic threat and liking best predicted valuation of inclusive policies. Overall, the results underline the importance of knowing the particular image of each migrant group, in relation to both interpersonal contact and the establishment of reception policies, when carrying out social policies or anti-prejudice campaigns in the receiving populations.