Acculturation and social attitudes among majority children

Contemporary research emphasises the dynamic intergroup nature of acculturation processes involving both immigrants and nationals. Using data from a sample of 372 U.S. national children (aged 6–9 years), we examine the relationship between acculturation attitudes, conceptualized as desire for cultural maintenance and desire for intergroup contact between immigrants and nationals, and attitudes towards Somali immigrants (intended behaviour, prejudice, perceived norms and intergroup anxiety). Prosocial behaviours were highest among children who simultaneously endorsed cultural maintenance and intergroup contact attitudes. These findings and their implications are discussed.

► We examine acculturation and attitudes towards immigrants among majority children. ► Endorsement of both cultural maintenance and intergroup contact predicted positive attitudes. ► The product of these acculturation dimensions yielded the highest predictive value.