Attitudes toward immigrants: A test of two theories'

Two competing theories of intergroup relations are tested in this analysis of attitudes toward immigrants. The first proposes that higher education produces more liberal attitudes, with a corollary hypothesis predicting greater acceptance of diversity among social science and humanities graduates. Realistic group conflict theory states that increased competition over scarce resources results in greater intergroup conflict and lower levels of acceptance of the ''out group''. Analyses of panel survey data (1985-1992) from a study of Edmonton high school seniors reveal that young people who went on to higher education already expressed more positive attitudes toward immigrants when leaving high school. Exposure to higher education had a further liberalizing effect on attitudes. Alternatively, individuals who did not continue their education became somewhat less accepting of immigrants over time. Differences in university program were not related to variations in attitudes toward immigrants. Evidence of less liberal attitudes among young people who had experienced more labor market difficulties was also not found.