Race Prejudice Study Dispels Notion That Blames Biology

The Age

Monday January 28, 2008

By Chee Chee Leung, Science reporter

FOR those with a prejudice against migrants, it could be a result of believing in nature rather than nurture.

A Melbourne study has found that people who think humans are characterised by their genes - rather than the environment - are less accepting of Asian immigrants.

They believe people of Asian backgrounds will "always remain different", and prefer to keep their distance.

"These people believe that human differences are actually to do with biology," said researcher Brock Bastian, of the University of Melbourne.

"They tend to think that people can't change very easily, and that tends to lead to prejudice towards immigrants coming into the country."

But the reverse also holds true. Migrants who believe they are biologically different are less likely to integrate, or adopt an Australian identity.

Dr Bastian, a behavioural scientist, said such a view could lead to second-generation migrants finding appeal in extremist groups, if they felt alienated from their ethnic identity as well as the Australian one. "It leaves them without any strong attachments, so when you have groups that are offering very clear and strong identities . . . they become quite attractive."

The study was based on surveys of 137 Australian-born people about their attitudes to Asian immigration, and 101 migrants about their views and experiences.

Dr Bastian, who conducted the research with Associate Professor Nick Haslam, said the belief that biology determined human nature was being fuelled by science's current focus on genetics.

He hopes understanding what drives prejudice may help in developing ways to make the migrant experience easier.

The research has been accepted for publication in the Asian Journal of Psychology.

© 2008 The Age

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