Identidade Global: um estudo das atitudes e argumentos da sociedade portuguesa face aos imigrantes.

Abstract

Inclusion of immigrants and attitudes toward outgroups have been widely debated in Social Psychology, particularly regarding the role of social identity in these processes. In this context, this study sought to investigate the effect of national and global identity salience on attitudes toward immigrants, also considering the mediating role of positive and negative arguments and the moderating role of political positioning in these mediation processes. Participants were exposed to one of two identity salience conditions (national and global) and expressed their attitudes toward immigrants, as well as their agreement with different arguments about immigration. A quantitative experimental methodology was employed, complemented by mediation and moderation analyses, which enabled us to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying intergroup attitudes. The results revealed that national identity salience tends to reinforce more exclusionary attitudes, while global identity favors inclusion and prosocial behaviors. It was also found that both positive and negative arguments play an important mediating role in the association between global identity and attitudes toward immigrants. Moderation by political positioning shows that these processes are significant, essentially, for conservative participants. In conclusion, activating global identity can foster more inclusive attitudes and reduce prejudice, even among traditionally more conservative individuals. The findings contribute to the understanding of moral justification processes in intergroup contexts and offer relevant implications for interventions and policies promoting inclusion and diversity.