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Perceptions of ethno-cultural diversity and neighborhood cohesion in three European countries
[working paper]
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Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung gGmbH
Abstract The question whether ethnic diversity is associated with declining social cohesion has produced much controversy. We maintain that more attention must be paid to cognitive mechanisms to move the debate ahead. Using survey data from 938 localities in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, we explore a... view more
The question whether ethnic diversity is associated with declining social cohesion has produced much controversy. We maintain that more attention must be paid to cognitive mechanisms to move the debate ahead. Using survey data from 938 localities in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, we explore a crucial individual-level mechanism: perceptions of diversity. We not only consider perceptions of the amount, but also of the qualitative nature of diversity. By asking about various qualitative aspects of diversity, we test the cognitive salience of three explanations that have been proposed in the literature for negative diversity effects: out-group biases, asymmetric preferences and coordination problems. We show that all three mechanisms matter. Perceptions both mediate statistical diversity effects, and have important explanatory power of their own. Moreover, we are able to address the question to what extend the relationship of perceived diversity and neighborhood social cohesion varies across policy contexts. Based on assumptions in the literature about positive impacts of inclusive and culturally pluralist immigrant integration policy approaches, we hypothesize that ethno-cultural diversity is less negatively related to neighborhood social cohesion in more inclusive policy contexts. Our results provide partial support for this hypothesis as perceived diversity has a significantly stronger negative impact on neighborhood cohesion in Germany. (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
social relations; social capital; ethnology; cultural diversity; immigration; group; survey; Federal Republic of Germany; France; Netherlands; perception; integration; impact
Classification
Migration, Sociology of Migration
General Sociology, Basic Research, General Concepts and History of Sociology, Sociological Theories
Ethnology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnosociology
Document language
English
Publication Year
2014
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
40 p.
Series
Discussion Papers / Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, Forschungsschwerpunkt Migration und Diversität, Abteilung Migration, Integration, Transnationalisierung, SP VI 2014-103
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/10419/104066
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications