Proportion of Foreigners Negatively Predicts the Prevalence of Xenophobic Hate Crimes within German Districts

Abstract

Statistics show that the increase in the number of refugees to Germany since 2015 was accompanied by an increase in xenophobic hate crimes. We deduced rivaling predictions from intergroup contact and intergroup threat theories that could explain the occurrence of xenophobic hate crimes. By combining structural data of the 402 German districts with the 2015 police crime statistics, we found evidence to support our predictions that aligns with intergroup contact theory: the higher the proportion of foreigners in a district, the lower the prevalence of xenophobic hate crimes. Our analyses further show that the prevalence of xenophobic hate crime attacks was positively related to the total prevalence of registered criminal offenses in a district and was higher in eastern German districts.

The dynamic relationship between contact opportunities, positive and negative intergroup contact, and prejudice: A longitudinal investigation.

“…Contributing to emergent literature that focuses on processes of change (Geschke, 2007; Van Zalk, Kotzur, Schmid, Al Ramiah, & Hewstone, 2020; Wölfer et al, 2016), as opposed to examining the relationship between contact opportunities and prejudice cross-sectionally, we found that prejudice can rise with increased intergroup contact opportunities. These findings contradict many studies that show that contact opportunities, measured as the presence of minority members or ethnic composition within a geographical region, are typically associated with reduced levels of prejudice (e.g., Brune et al, 2016; Hewstone & Schmid, 2014; Lubbers et al, 2006; Oliver & Wong, 2003; Pettigrew, 1997; Wagner et al, 2006, 2020), including rare empirical examples that investigated change of contact opportunities (Geschke, 2007; Van Zalk et al, 2020). Instead, our results support a few studies that found the opposite (Green et al, 2010; Quillian, 1995).…”

“…Contact opportunities do not necessarily ensure actual contact or reductions of prejudice (Van Dick et al, 2004). Nonetheless, contact opportunities, operationalized as the presence of minority members within a geographical region, are often associated with reduced prejudice (e.g., Brune et al, 2016; Hewstone & Schmid, 2014; Kaufmann & Harris, 2015; Lubbers et al, 2006; Oliver & Wong, 2003; Pettigrew, 1997; Wagner et al, 2006, 2020). However, although contact opportunities have been repeatedly shown to be associated with less prejudice, some studies found the opposite relation (e.g., Green et al, 2010; Putnam, 2007; Quillian, 1995).…”

“…Despite this worrisome conjecture, increased immigration of forced migrants also provides receiving society members with more opportunities to personally engage in contact with forced migrants. Many studies found that intergroup contact opportunities are associated with reduced prejudice (e.g., Brune, Asbrock, & Sibley, 2016; Hewstone & Schmid, 2014; Kaufmann & Harris, 2015; Lubbers, Coenders, & Scheepers, 2006; Oliver & Wong, 2003; Pettigrew, 1997; Wagner, Christ, Pettigrew, Stellmacher, & Wolf, 2006; Wagner, Tachtsoglou, Kotzur, Friehs, & Kemmesies, 2020). However, some studies found the opposite association (e.g., Green, Fasel, & Sarrasin, 2010; Putnam, 2007; Quillian, 1995), suggesting that further mechanisms are at work that determine the extent to which contact opportunities may benefit or harm the relations between groups.…”

Special Issue on “The Social Psychology of Forced Migration and Refugee Integration” in the European Journal of Social Psychology

“…Hence, it is not surprising that the challenges of forced migration have pre‐occupied national and international politics, affected national election campaigns and polarized receiving societies. The reactions to refugee arrivals by residents of receiving societies range from hostility, rejection (e.g., Benček & Strasheim, ) and violence (Wagner, Tachtsoglou, Kotzur, Friehs, & Kemmesies, ) to active support and helping (Ahrens, ; Stürmer & Siem, ). The variety of these reactions has been amply covered by mass media and discussed in public discourse.…”

Welcoming the Unwelcome: How Contact Shapes Contexts of Reception for New Immigrants in Germany and the United States

“…Nativist and nationalist movements are gaining renewed traction (Bouie, ; Infratest dimap, , ). In Germany, these developments are for instance reflected in the rise in the electorate for the right‐wing party AfD propagating nationalist policies (Goerres, Spies, & Kumlin, ), and physical assaults directed toward refugee‐immigrant‐related targets (e.g., Mut gegen rechte Gewalt, ; Wagner, Tachtsoglou, Kotzur, Friehs, & Kemmesies, ). In the United States, Donald Trump was elected as president with a strong focus on anti‐immigrant sentiments, symbolized in his demand to build a wall at the U.S.—Mexican border.…”