Trust, Prosociality, and Immigration Policy Views: Evidence from Swedish Twins

• In Event: Trust & Politics

Abstract

Extensive literature has concentrated on understanding anti-immigration attitudes, yet the underpinnings of pro-immigration attitudes remain relatively unknown. To gain insights into the origins of pro-immigration attitudes, this study examines the role of two fundamental interpersonal orientations, generalised social trust and prosociality, which are characterised by in-group bias tendencies. Utilising a large sample of middle-aged and older Swedish twins who grew up in relatively homogeneous environments, this study employs twin-pair fixed effects models to control for confoundings shared within twin pairs. The results demonstrate that higher levels of generalised social trust, as well as volunteering, charitable giving, and organ donation, are associated with approval for pro-immigration policies. However, only the positive effects of social trust are robust and substantial when using a subsample of identical twins. These findings indicate an inclusionary outlook of social trust in Sweden and have important implications for discussions surrounding diversity and social cohesion.

Author

• Qinya Feng, Uppsala University