Born a local or living like one: Understandings of local belonging and outgroup attitudes

Abstract

This study examines people's understanding of who is a ‘true’ local and its intergroup implications. We expected to find two general understandings – one based on ascribed (i.e., ethnic) and the other on acquired (i.e. civic) characteristics – which would be differently associated with attitudes towards newcomers. In four studies conducted in Poland, we found that people consistently make an empirical distinction between these two understandings of local city belonging (Study 1, N = 148, Study 2, N = 1016, Study 3, N = 400, Study 4, N = 686). Further, stronger endorsement of an ascribed local belonging was related to a tendency to essentialize the ingroup and support for autochthony belief (Study 1), lower acceptance of both international and internal migrants, as well as established and recent migrants (Studies 2–4), higher perceived local threat from migrants, and higher intention for collective action against migrants (Study 4). In contrast, an acquired local understanding was associated with positive attitudes and behavioral intentions towards newcomers. In sum, our results suggest that the ascribed vs. acquired distinction of local belonging is relevant for the way people relate to newcomers in their local environments.