Attitudes of Italians toward African immigrants: Ingroup favoritism and acculturation process

Intergroup bias, defined as the systematic tendency to evaluate the in-group more favorably than the out-group, was studied in reference to the acculturation process in Italy. Host community members (N=180) completed a questionnaire in which their attitude toward African immigrants was assessed, together with other variables. Hierarchical multiple regression showed the success of national identity, feeling of security as an Italian and acculturation attitude predicting in-group favoritism. This was confirmed for each of the acculturation attitudes considered (integration, integration with transformation, assimilation, exclusion, segregation and individualism). The study provides useful indications for intergroup bias reduction in inter-ethnic contexts.