The Influence of Narrative and Numerical Messages on Integration-Relevant Attitudes among Muslim Immigrant Minorities

• In Event: Narrative Persuasion Research

Abstract

This study assesses what types of messages may generate greater openness toward three core Western European norms (i.e., gender equality, sexual minority rights and secularism in public life) among Muslim immigrant minorities. We build on theoretical insights from integration studies and message effectiveness to test whether narrative versus numerical evidence will be more effective among different subgroups of Muslim immigrants. Based on an experiment in which participants from the Dutch Muslim community (N=454) were exposed to narrative or numerical messages related to these norms, we show that those born in the Netherlands were more receptive to a narrative, while numerical messages generated greater openness to the tested norms among those born in majority-Muslim countries. We interpret these findings in the light of different cultural orientations during the socialization process. The study offers a first step towards a theoretical framework for understanding message effects and evidence effectiveness in increasingly multi-ethnic societies.

Authors

• Magdalena E. Wojcieszak, University of Amsterdam

• Rachid Azrout, ASCoR, U of Amsterdam

• Hajo G. Boomgaarden, U of Vienna

• Amanda Paz Alencar, University of Amsterdam

• Penelope Helen Sheets, ASCoR, U of Amsterdam