From Both Sides: Perspective-Taking and Anti-migrant Attitudes in Tunisia

• In Event: (Un)Deserving Migrants: Race and International Migration

Abstract

Anti-migrant sentiment is on the rise in North Africa. With the region serving as a key migration crossroads between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, opposition to immigration has become commonplace, even amongst those who have considered emigrating to Europe. In this study, we leverage Tunisia’s unique position as a destination and emigration country to test whether perspective-taking messages — which highlight the shared struggles that in- and out-migrants face integrating into host countries — can reduce exclusionary attitudes towards migrants. We posit that priming citizens with positive emigration experiences fosters empathic responses towards out-group migrants, fostering greater tolerance of liberal immigration policies. By contrast, messages highlighting the difficulties associated with emigration produces the opposite response, igniting a backlash effect towards out-group migrants. Our research thus advances the literature on migration by uncovering the nuanced effects of framing on perspective-taking and emotions, and reveals new strategies to counter rising anti-immigrant sentiments across the globe.

Authors

• Ashley Anderson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Junghyun Lim, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill