TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of personal values and basic traits in perceptions of the consequences of immigration
T2 - A three-nation study
AU - Vecchione, Michele
AU - Caprara, Gianvittorio
AU - Schoen, Harald
AU - Castro, Josè Luis Gonzàlez
AU - Schwartz, Shalom H.
PY - 2012/8
Y1 - 2012/8
N2 - Using data from Italy, Spain, and Germany (N= 1,569), this study investigated the role of basic values (universalism and security) and basic traits (openness and agreeableness) in predicting perceptions of the consequences of immigration. In line with Schwartz's (1992) theory, we conceptualized security as having two distinct components, one concerned with safety of the self (personal security) and the other with harmony and stability of larger groups and of society (group security). Structural equation modelling revealed that universalism values underlie perceptions that immigration has positive consequences and group security values underlie perceptions that it has negative consequences. Personal security makes no unique, additional contribution. Multi-group analyses revealed that these associations are invariant across the three countries except for a stronger link between universalism and perceptions of the consequences of immigration in Spain. To examine whether values mediate relations of traits to perceptions of immigration, we used the five-factor model. Findings supported a full mediation model. Individuals' traits of openness and agreeableness explained significant variance in security and universalism values. Basic values, in turn, explained perceptions of the consequences of immigration.
AB - Using data from Italy, Spain, and Germany (N= 1,569), this study investigated the role of basic values (universalism and security) and basic traits (openness and agreeableness) in predicting perceptions of the consequences of immigration. In line with Schwartz's (1992) theory, we conceptualized security as having two distinct components, one concerned with safety of the self (personal security) and the other with harmony and stability of larger groups and of society (group security). Structural equation modelling revealed that universalism values underlie perceptions that immigration has positive consequences and group security values underlie perceptions that it has negative consequences. Personal security makes no unique, additional contribution. Multi-group analyses revealed that these associations are invariant across the three countries except for a stronger link between universalism and perceptions of the consequences of immigration in Spain. To examine whether values mediate relations of traits to perceptions of immigration, we used the five-factor model. Findings supported a full mediation model. Individuals' traits of openness and agreeableness explained significant variance in security and universalism values. Basic values, in turn, explained perceptions of the consequences of immigration.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863995299&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.2044-8295.2011.02079.x
DO - 10.1111/j.2044-8295.2011.02079.x
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C2 - 22804702
AN - SCOPUS:84863995299
SN - 0007-1269
VL - 103
SP - 359
EP - 377
JO - British Journal of Psychology
JF - British Journal of Psychology
IS - 3
ER -