The mediating role of National Identification, Binding Foundations and Perceived Threat on the Relationship between Need for Cognitive Closure and Prejudice against Migrants.

What mitigates the relationship between need for cognitive closure and prejudice against migrants? Addressing this question we explored how national identification, endorsing binding moral foundations and the perception of threat mediate the relationship between need for cognitive closure and prejudice against migrants in Malta. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high need for cognitive closure are more prone to identify with being Maltese and more likely to endorse binding moral foundations and perceive high threat from migrants leading to more prejudiced attitude towards migrants living in Malta. Two hundred and twenty-four individuals participated in this quantitative study. Results from this study confirmed our hypothesis. The implications of the findings for theories about how need for cognitive closure contributes to increased prejudiced attitude in native population is discussed.