The Effect of Group Boundary Permeability on Intergroup Prejudice: The Case of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China. (12th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xiao-xiao; Zheng, Jian; Liu, Li; Zhao, Xian; Sun, Xiao-min
• Is Part Of: Journal of Pacific Rim psychology. Volume 8:Number 2(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2014-12-12
• Subjects: Psychology -- Oceania -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Islands of the Pacific -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.99
• DOI: 10.1017/prp.2014.7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1834-4909

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The developing world is witness to a major urban transformation. How to facilitate intergroup relations between new migrants and long-time urban residents is a critical issue in developing societies globally. The current research explored the effect of group boundary permeability on intergroup prejudice by the case of rural-to-urban migration in China. As the boundary between rural-to-urban migrants and permanent urban residents in China can be ascribed to China's unique <italic>hukou</italic> system, we conducted three interrelated studies to approach the topic from the perspective of the <italic>hukou</italic> system and its reforms. Study 1 used a correlational investigation and found a negative correlation between group boundary permeability and prejudice against rural-to-urban migrants. In Study 2, we manipulated the group boundary permeability using the points accumulation system scheme of the <italic>hukou</italic> system reform, and found a causal effect of the group boundary permeability on the social distance of urban dwellers to migrants. In Study 3, using a more general <italic>hukou</italic> reform scheme, that of gradually abolishing the <italic>hukou</italic> system, we replicated the findings from Study 2 and further found that a permeable group boundary could reduce prejudice. These three studies suggest that the group boundary based on the Chinese <italic>hukou</italic> system is an institutional cause of prejudice against rural-to-urban migrants. Our experimental manipulations can be interpreted as analogues to potential policy arena actions.</p> </abstract>