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Abstract |
For over a century, several Arab countries have received immigrants and refugees who are either searching for better opportunities or escaping war or civil tension. Yet, there is little research on diversity, intergroup relations, and acculturation within the Arab context. This project will focus on two countries – Lebanon and Qatar, each with their unique compositions and immigrant challenges – to explore how their respective citizens perceive changes in their levels of national diversity. Using a mixed-method research design, it will examine attitudes and perceptions of host communities and different migrant groups toward each other, as well as the social-psychological factors that shape the nature of these intergroup relations (e.g. prejudice, hostility, fear, tolerance, acceptance). Through a disciplinary lens and methodology that is rarely used in the region, this project aims to provide a culturally appropriate social psychological model of migration in Arab countries along with predictors of different acculturation and diversity strategies. On a practical level, this project will also help provide evidence-based interventions to improve intergroup relations and social stability in the region. |
