| Summary: | <div>We investigate how different types of cultural diversity influence anti-immigration attitudes across Swiss municipalities. While from a threat theory perspective,</div><div>a high number of immigrants within a region increases (perceived) threat which fosters negative immigration attitudes, intergroup contact theory&nbsp;contends that culturally diverse societal contexts increase opportunities for contacts with immigrants, which give rise to more positive immigration attitudes.&nbsp;Prior research on ethnic hierarchies and host society acculturation attitudes led us to hypothesize that the presence of valued, &ldquo;culturally similar&rdquo;&nbsp;immigrants from wealthier countries increases contact and decreases threat, thereby reducing anti-immigrant prejudice. The presence of devalued, &ldquo;culturally&nbsp;distant&rdquo; immigrants from poorer countries should increase threat perceptions and dissuade contact thus heightening prejudice. A multilevel study</div><div>was conducted using the 2002 European Social Survey (N = 1472 Swiss citizens, N = 185 municipalities). Replicating previous research, contact reduced&nbsp;exclusionary immigration attitudes through reduced threat. On the municipality level, higher proportion of North and West European immigrants increased&nbsp;contact, thus reducing threat. A larger proportion of Muslims was related to an increase in threat, leading to more pronounced exclusionary attitudes, but&nbsp;also to increased contact. Finally, we discuss how the impact of diversity depends on the social construction of immigrant categories, respondents&rsquo; social&nbsp;position and ideological stances, and the prevailing local ideological climate.</div>
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