Intergroup competition and attitudes toward immigrants and immigration: Aninstrumental model of group conflict

High levels of worldwide migration paired with increasingly negative attitu des toward immigrants and immigration in host countries indicate that it is crucial to gain an understanding of the bases of these attitudes. This art icle discusses one determinant of negative attitudes toward immigrants and immigration: perceived competition for resources. We present our instrument al model of group conflict, which suggests that competition for resources, and attempts to remove this competition, are important determinants of inte rgroup attitudes and behavior We then review relevant research on perceived competition and attitudes toward immigrants and immigration, We conclude b y discussing the implications of this research for attempts to alleviate te nsion between immigrants and members of host populations, and for our more general model of group conflict.