Exploring double standards in ethnicity, migration and intercultural relations: an introduction to the Special Issue / Explorando los dobles estándares en materia de etnicidad, migración y relaciones interculturales: introducción al Número Monográfico

This Special Issue examines the concept of ‘double standards’ in ethnicity, migration and intercultural relations, focusing on the uneven application of principles or expectations to similar groups or situations. Amid growing discussions on its relevance to intergroup conflicts and humanitarian crises on a global scale, the issue explores how double standards emerge in diverse socio-historical and political contexts, legitimizing unequal treatment of ethnocultural and migrant communities. It investigates the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions underlying these biases and their impact on marginalized groups. Contributions analyse how double standards both perpetuate injustice and fuel collective resistance, emphasizing the need for social and political psychologists to address these disparities. By integrating empirical research with diverse theoretical frameworks, this issue advances our understanding of double standards and their implications for intergroup relations and justice in an era of rising nationalism and populism, while paving the way for future research on this critical topic.