Relative deprivation and relative wealth enhances anti-immigrant sentiments: the v-curve re-examined

Previous research has shown that negative attitudes towards immigrants and support for anti-immigrant parties are observed both among those experiencing relative deprivation and those experiencing relative gratification (so called v-curve). Whereas the effect of relative deprivation is intuitive, the effect of relative gratification is more difficult to explain. Why would economic prosperity provoke negative attitudes towards immigrants? We first present correlational (Study 1) and experimental (Study 2) support for the v-curve. In Study 1, in a national Swiss referendum, a higher percentage anti-immigrant voting was found in cantons with relatively lower and relatively higher relative disposable income. In Study 2, in a hypothetical society, more opposition to ‘newcomers’ joining society was found among poor or above average wealth group members than among those in a moderate wealth group condition. In Study 3, we replicate this finding and also show that opposition to immigration is higher for all wealth groups when societal inequality is growing rather than declining. In a final study, we examine different forms of relative gratification and mediators of the relationship between relative gratification and opposition to immigration (i.e., identification, collective self-definition as competent and cold, and fear about future wealth). Only fear about future wealth mediates this relationship. We conclude that, paradoxically, relative gratification effects are partly due to the fear of future deprivation.

既往研究表明，无论是处于相对剥夺（relative deprivation）状态还是相对满足（relative gratification）状态的群体，均会表现出对移民的负面态度以及对反移民政党的支持，这种现象被称为V型曲线（v-curve）。尽管相对剥夺的影响直观易懂，但相对满足的影响则更难解释：经济繁荣为何会引发对移民的负面态度？我们首先通过相关研究（研究1）与实验研究（研究2）为V型曲线提供了实证支撑。在研究1中，针对瑞士全国性公投的分析显示，在相对可支配收入处于极高或极低水平的州，反移民投票占比均更高。在研究2中，相较于中等财富水平群体，在一个假想社会中的贫困群体与财富高于平均水平的群体，对“新成员加入社会”的反对态度更为强烈。在研究3中，我们重复验证了上述发现，并进一步表明：当社会不平等程度趋于上升而非下降时，所有财富阶层的群体对移民的反对态度均会增强。在最后一项研究中，我们探讨了相对满足的不同表现形式，以及相对满足与反移民态度之间关系的中介变量（即身份认同、将集体自我界定为有能力且冷漠的特质，以及对未来财富的担忧）。研究发现，仅对未来财富的担忧能够在二者之间起到中介作用。我们的研究结论颇具吊诡之处：相对满足所产生的影响，部分源于群体对未来陷入相对剥夺状态的担忧。