Is support for multiculturalism threatened by … threat itself?

Three studies investigated the effects of British majority members’ perceptions of minority members’ acculturation preferences and perceived identity threat on their support for multiculturalism. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) a perception that minority members want to maintain their original culture will negatively affect support for multiculturalism; (2) a perception that minority members want to adopt the British culture will positively affect support for multiculturalism; and (3) a perception that minority members desire contact with British people will positively affect support for multiculturalism. All three effects were predicted to be mediated by identity threat. Studies 1 and 2 focussed on Pakistanis as a target group, and study 3 focussed on ethnic minority members more generally. All studies yielded evidence in support of the hypotheses.

► Three studies were conducted among British majority members. ► Threat mediated the link between perceived acculturation & multiculturalism support. ► Perceived cultural maintenance → higher threat → less support for multiculturalism. ► Perceived culture adoption → lower threat → more support for multiculturalism. ► Perceived contact → lower threat → more support for multiculturalism.