Personality Traits and Human Values as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Refugees and Visa Holders

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between personality traits, personal values, and attitudes toward two groups of legally admitted immigrants: refugees and visa holders. A sample of college students (N = 283; M age = 19.8 years) completed measures based on the Big Five personality framework and Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Human Values. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) extraverted host nationals would exhibit more positive attitudes toward refugees and visa holders, (2) individuals high in openness to change would demonstrate more positive attitudes, and (3) introverted host nationals would endorse more conservative values associated with more negative attitudes. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that conservation values were associated with more negative attitudes toward both refugees and visa holders, while introversion was associated with more negative attitudes toward refugees specifically. Extraversion and openness to change were not significant predictors of attitudes toward either group. Overall, the findings provide evidence that personality traits and value orientations are meaningfully associated with host nationals’ perceptions of immigrants, particularly in relation to conservation values and attitudes toward refugees. At the same time, results should be interpreted with appropriate caution given variability in measurement reliability and the exploratory nature of the analyses.