Abstract

BUENO, Elia Hilda  and  MENDEZ, Roque V.. Prejudice towards Immigrants: Competences Elicit Stonger and more Favorable Sentiments. Acta de investigación psicol [online]. 2019, vol.9, n.2, pp.25-34.  Epub Nov 22, 2019. ISSN 2007-4719.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fpsi.20074719e.2019.2.261.

We examined prejudice and discrimination toward immigrants, specifically Mexican immigrants, as a function of their perceived competence and warmth, and the perceiver’s agreeableness, attitudes and acculturation level. We found that an immigrant’s competence evoked stronger feelings and responses than their warmth. Moreover, pre-existing attitudes strongly predicted prejudices toward immigrants. Of the Big Five variables, only Agreeableness predicted positive sentiments and actions toward immigrants. Finally, acculturation within Latinos correlated negatively with positive feelings and actions toward immigrants. More acculturated Latinos were less welcoming of immigrants. The results are partially explained by the Stereotypic Content Model.

Keywords : Prejudice; Immigrants; Discrimination; Big Five.