Pride and prejudice: Different responses to migrant information among different identity groups

Abstract

Previous studies have examined how information intervention affects intergroup prejudice and conflict. On that basis, this study introduced psychological adjustment cost into a behavioral model for identity and individual attitude change. The model predicts that changes in attitude are related to an individual’s initial identity, and the same information can either change or reinforce initial attitudes. Then, we used a survey to explore whether information about migration could change the attitudes of Shanghai residents toward interregional migrants to their city. We found that after reading neutrally described information about the benefits of internal migration, the attitudes of non-native interviewees toward immigrants became more positive while those of native Shanghai residents became more negative. We also found that young, well-educated people developed more positive attitudes about immigrants after reading the information.