Majority Group Attitudes Toward Indigenous and Immigrant Peoples: The Role of Group Identifications and Territorial Ownership Perceptions

Abstract

Group-based land ownership claims remain a topic of debate in settler societies. While scholars have shown that group identification and territorial ownership perceptions influence intergroup relations between settlers and Indigenous peoples, it remains unclear how various forms of identity matter for ingroup and outgroup ownership perceptions. Furthermore, little is known on how ownership perceptions might explain attitudes toward both Indigenous people and new immigrants. The current research investigated how majority group’s identification with the ethnic (i.e., settler) group and their national identification differently relate to perceptions of settler and Indigenous ownership, and how these ownership perceptions, in turn, are associated with attitudes toward Indigenous peoples and immigrants. This was examined among a sample of European New Zealanders (Pākehā; N = 727) using structural equation modeling. It was found that higher settler identification was associated with greater perceived settler ownership, while higher national identification was associated with greater perceived Indigenous ownership. Furthermore, perceptions of settler ownership were related to less positive attitudes toward Indigenous Māori and immigrants. On the other hand, Indigenous ownership perceptions were related to more positive attitudes toward both groups. This study underscores the importance of considering both the majority group’s settler and national identification when trying to understand territorial ownership perceptions in settler societies. Moreover, it shows that in such a context, ownership concerns are relevant not only for attitudes toward Indigenous peoples but also new immigrants.