The republican model of integration: Implications for the psychology of intergroup relations

Historical and sociological analyses have highlighted the characteristics of the republican model as a specifically French tradition of integration and organization of collective life. However, few research in psychology has examined the perceptions, attitudes or beliefs of individuals with regard to this model. We present the results of several studies that reveal two distinct and orthogonal dimensions structuring the Republican ideology : one related to citizenship and the other related to secularism. Moreover, we show that adherence to Republican principles is not only very high but has important implications for understanding the intergroup perceptions and attitudes of French people, and the acculturation orientations of French immigrants from North Africa.