Understanding attitudes towards immigrants: the double edge of heterogeneous national identities and egalitarian norms on attitudes towards immigrants

In the present paper we analyze nationals’ attitudes towards immigrants as a func- tion of two characteristics of superordi- nate national categories: their diversity and their egalitarian normative context. This analysis is based on the instrumental and identity functions fulfilled by group membership and more specifically on the threat diversity and equality may intro- duce to the maintaining of a positive and distinctive national identity. We describe research in the Swiss federal context investigating the paradoxical negative effects of the heterogeneity of national identity and the egalitarian norm on na- tionals’ attitudes towards immigrants. These effects appear to be moderated by the perception of immigrants’ ability to adapt to their host country, initial atti- tudes towards immigrants, and the strength of national identification.