The effects of economic crisis in the framing and evolution of spanish public opinion towards immigration

Abstract

This paper deals with the effects of economic crisis in the change of attitudes towards immigration, by means of a longitudinal approach via survey data. The analysis of dimensions and indicators of xenophobia corroborates the negative effect of economic turmoil and labor threat in the increase of xenophobia, in tune with Intergroup Conflict Theory. Although in 2012, rejection to immigration drew back, whereas ambivalence extended and became tenuous tolerance. In its explanation stands out the lowering of both real and perceived presence of immigrant population, confirming the effect attributed to the out-group size. Other subjects related to the framing of attitudes add themselves: the image of immigration transmitted by the mass media and political discourses, in addition to mutual knowledge (in accordance with the Theory of Intergroup Contact).

Keywords

• inmigración, crisis económica, opinión pública, conflicto intergrupal, xenofobia