Cross-country comparisons of the connection between political discourse, intergroup attitudes, and collective action

2020.05.28.
Cross-country comparisons of the connection between political discourse, intergroup attitudes, and collective action
Led by the Department of Social Psychology at ELTE PPK and Anna Kende, Head of the Department, habilitated associate professor, a representative survey was conducted on the phenomenon of antigypsyism in five European countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, France, Ireland)  within the framework of Justice Programme (2014-2020). In each country, 1,000 people participated in the study. The main question of the research was how political discourse shape anti-Roma attitudes and actions for or against Roma among the population.
Executive summary 
  • Based on representative surveys in five countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, France, Ireland) we found that antigypsyism encompasses negative stereotypes, the idea of Roma receiving undeserved benefits, and the absence of cultural recognition.
  • Antigypsyism is acceptable to most Hungarian, Slovak and Romanian people, however indifference rather than hatred is the most typical reaction.
  • Patterns of engagement in favour of or against the Roma are very low across countries.
  • In the absence of antigypsyism, pro-Roma political discourse is more acceptable, which translates into willingness to engage in action to offer material help and to stand up for the rights of the Roma.
  • In the presence of antigypsyism, the acceptance of hostile political discourse is higher, which in turn predicts willingness to engage in anti-Roma action.
  • Antigypsyism predicted acceptance of different political discourses above demographic and ideological variables.
  • Pro- and anti-Roma action intentions were predicted by the acceptance of different political discourses above antigypsyism (i.e. the way politicians talk about the Roma matters).
  • There is no clear distinction between paternalistic and ally political discourse, they both predict willingness to offer material help and engage in pro-Roma political actions.
  • Empathy and sympathy are the most important predictors of positive behavioral tendencies, however, these positive emotional responses are low in all countries.
  • Feeling threatened is a source of hostile intentions toward the Roma, however such intentions are not widespread in any of the countries.

The full report is available here.