Introduction. Understanding the mechanisms underlying collective actions is crucial for fostering social change, particularly regarding interactions between natives and migrants. In the socio-cultural context of Italy, the present study aims to enhance the theoretical background of collective actions toward migrants, both supportive and oppositional, integrating the concepts of the Quest for Significance (QFS), anti-migrant prejudice, and the moral foundation of Proportionality. Aim. The study aims to explore how the QFS influences collective action intentions toward migrants, focusing on both supportive and oppositional actions. It also examines the mediating role of anti-migrant prejudice and the moderating role of proportionality. Methodology. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study involved 672 Italian participants who responded to an online questionnaire. Regression path analyses were conducted, employing simple and moderated mediation models to examine the roles of anti-migrant prejudice and Proportionality in the association between the QFS and collective action intentions. Results. The results confirmed that the QFS motivates majority group members to engage in various collective actions towards migrants, with anti-migrant prejudice emerging as a critical mediator. Individuals with a strong QFS exhibited stronger prejudices against migrants in alignment with prevailing cultural narratives and dominant ideologies. Furthermore, the study revealed the moderating role of proportionality, demonstrating that at low levels of proportionality, a strong QFS was associated with a greater propensity for negative collective actions against migrants and a diminished propensity for supportive actions. Conclusion. The study deepens the understanding of how fundamental human motivations (e.g., QFS) can influence social attitudes and collective actions pro- and anti-migrants. The role of anti-migrant prejudice as a mediator highlights how individuals may align with prevailing social hierarchies to fulfill their need for significance. Moreover, the moderating effect of proportionality suggests this moral value can either amplify or mitigate the influence of psychological motivations on behavioral intentions.
Motivated by Significance: The Role of Quest for Significance, Anti-migrants Prejudice, and Proportionality in Shaping Collective Action Intentions Towards Migrants in Italy / Frisari, FRANCESCA VALERIA; Kosic, Ankica. - (2024). (Intervento presentato al convegno I Mediterranean Meeting on the Psychology of Social Change tenutosi a Messina, Italy).
Motivated by Significance: The Role of Quest for Significance, Anti-migrants Prejudice, and Proportionality in Shaping Collective Action Intentions Towards Migrants in Italy
Francesca Valeria Frisari
;Ankica Kosic
2024
Abstract
Introduction. Understanding the mechanisms underlying collective actions is crucial for fostering social change, particularly regarding interactions between natives and migrants. In the socio-cultural context of Italy, the present study aims to enhance the theoretical background of collective actions toward migrants, both supportive and oppositional, integrating the concepts of the Quest for Significance (QFS), anti-migrant prejudice, and the moral foundation of Proportionality. Aim. The study aims to explore how the QFS influences collective action intentions toward migrants, focusing on both supportive and oppositional actions. It also examines the mediating role of anti-migrant prejudice and the moderating role of proportionality. Methodology. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study involved 672 Italian participants who responded to an online questionnaire. Regression path analyses were conducted, employing simple and moderated mediation models to examine the roles of anti-migrant prejudice and Proportionality in the association between the QFS and collective action intentions. Results. The results confirmed that the QFS motivates majority group members to engage in various collective actions towards migrants, with anti-migrant prejudice emerging as a critical mediator. Individuals with a strong QFS exhibited stronger prejudices against migrants in alignment with prevailing cultural narratives and dominant ideologies. Furthermore, the study revealed the moderating role of proportionality, demonstrating that at low levels of proportionality, a strong QFS was associated with a greater propensity for negative collective actions against migrants and a diminished propensity for supportive actions. Conclusion. The study deepens the understanding of how fundamental human motivations (e.g., QFS) can influence social attitudes and collective actions pro- and anti-migrants. The role of anti-migrant prejudice as a mediator highlights how individuals may align with prevailing social hierarchies to fulfill their need for significance. Moreover, the moderating effect of proportionality suggests this moral value can either amplify or mitigate the influence of psychological motivations on behavioral intentions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.