Factors associated with prejudicial attitudes toward immigrants in China: An exploration of sociodemographic variables

Many scholars have contributed to our understanding of prejudices and racism in different Western countries. Yet, there is not enough knowledge on how this research can also be of relevance to non-Western environments such as China. This research enquires whether and to what extent certain sociodemographic variables (occupational status, income satisfaction level, gender, education level, religious belief, contact) associate with residents’ prejudices against immigrants in China. The empirical research draws on a questionnaire survey conducted among Chinese citizens; the questionnaire was designed using Qualtrics questionnaire software and conducted through an anonymous links posted on social media. A total of 351 valid questionnaires were received. Publicly available scales such as the Subtle and Blatant Prejudice Scale (Pettigrew and Meertens 1995) (adapted version) were used to test participants’ attitudes toward immigrants, as well as the Bogardus Social Distance Scale (Bogardus 1933) to measure social distance. It was measured how different sociodemographic variables (occupational status, income satisfaction level, gender, education level, religious affiliation, contact) associate with residents’ prejudiced or tolerant attitudes towards immigrants. The results of the research demonstrate the following:
(1) In terms of occupational status, the unemployed group shows a more obvious prejudice against immigrants, while the employed group shows a more tolerant attitude; in other words, unemployment frustration fuels prejudice against immigrants.
(2) In terms of income satisfaction level, the group who are dissatisfied with income shows a more obvious prejudice against immigrants. The group who are satisfied with income shows a more tolerant attitude towards immigrants. Unequal social status breeds prejudice.
(3) In terms of gender, men show more obvious prejudice against immigrants, while women show a more tolerant attitude. Females are more empathetic to outgroups.
(4) In terms of education level, groups with lower education levels show more obvious prejudice against immigrants, while groups with higher education levels show more tolerant attitude towards immigrants. Education can help increase tolerant attitudes toward immigrants.
(5) In terms of religious beliefs, groups with religious beliefs show more obvious prejudice against immigrants, while groups without religious beliefs show a more tolerant attitude toward immigrants. Some extreme religious beliefs can lead to incompatibility with other cultures.
(6) In terms of whether participants have been in contact with immigrants, the groups that have not been in contact with immigrants show more obvious prejudice against immigrants. The groups that have contact with immigrants show a more tolerant attitude toward immigrants. The contact of native residents with immigrants helps to foster tolerant attitudes.
The implications of the results of this study for our knowledge on how to reduce residents’ prejudice against immigrants are five-fold. (i) Exposure and contact seem to reduce prejudice, therefore promoting dialogue and occasion of contact can prove beneficial in reduce prejudice. (ii) General education helps to improve the tolerance level of individuals to a certain extent, and this tolerance is passed on to the next generation through family education. (iii) Increase employment rate and narrowing the gap between rich and poor can help to reduce the prejudice against immigrants caused
by unemployment frustration and unequal social status. (iv) Promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls may help reduce gender imbalances and will help reduce male’s prejudice toward immigrants. (vi) Preventing religious extremism, when formulating immigration integration policies. It is necessary to give immigrant groups the freedom to choose assimilation and integration, or diversification, according to their own wishes and beliefs. This helps to reduce conflict.