Migration and Multiculturalism

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of research on migration and multiculturalism from the perspective of political psychology. The first part outlines some historical benchmarks of modern migration and briefly presents two key notions of a psychological approach to migration—assimilation and multiculturalism—in their historical context. The second part summarizes research on the psychological dynamics involved in the migrant experience, in particular the interactionist and complex nature of migrant identities, acculturation in receiving societies, and intergroup approaches to acculturation and multiculturalism. The third part analyzes the role of threat regarding immigrants and immigration in the reactions of majority populations in receiving societies. The fourth part presents multilevel research on the effects of contextual factors on attitudes toward immigration held by national majority groups. In the conclusion, ongoing and future challenges for research on migration and multiculturalism are outlined.