Marco Gradiz
Leong, C.-H., & Ward, C. (2006). Cultural values and attitudes toward immigrants and
multiculturalism: The case of the Eurobarometer survey on racism and xenophobia.
International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 30, 799-810.
Immigration to foreign countries can produce a mass effect on host countries. A clash of
cultural values and beliefs may occur resulting in racism for newly settled immigrants. To
examine cultural differences, a brief description of culture must be used. Culture may be
described as a way of life that is shared among people in a particular geographical area. Cultural
differences has also been examined using two theories to describe these differences. Schwartz
has proposed seven cultural-value dimensions, which include mastery, hierarchy, embeddedness,
harmony, egalitarianism, intellectual autonomy and affective autonomy. Hofstede’s four
dimensions of cultural differences includes power distance, uncertainty avoidance,
individualism, and masculinity. Each theory explains values that are present in multiple studies
of cultural values. While they differ, some dimensions share qualities in their description. Using
these theories, it was hypothesized that, using Schwartz’s cultural value, cultures that are high in
hierarchy, embeddedness and mastery, and low egalitarianism and harmony will present with
negative attitudes towards immigration and multiculturalism. It was also hypothesized, using
