The past as a determinant of the present: Historical continuity, collective angst, and opposition to immigration

• Published in: European journal of social psychology Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 442 - 450
• Main Authors: Jetten, Jolanda, Wohl, Michael J. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.06.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cultural identification; Cultural identity; England; Ethnic groups; Fear; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group Identity; Identification; Identity; Immigration; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social perception; Social psychology; England; United Kingdom; Great Britain; Europe; United Kingdom > UK; Human; Immigrant; Social group; Immigration; Social belonging; History; Social identity
• ISSN: 0046-2772; 1099-0992
• DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.865

We propose that the perceived continuity between a group's past and present can be a psychological resource that provides confidence in the group's future vitality, thereby reducing the need to preserve identity. In two studies, English participants were told that there was continuity or discontinuity between England's past and present. Both studies showed that higher identifiers (but not lower identifiers) experienced more collective angst (i.e., concern for the group's future) and were more opposed to immigration when English history was presented as discontinuous compared with continuous. Importantly, collective angst mediated the effect of the historical continuity manipulation on opposition to immigration. We conclude that, particularly among those higher in group identification, perceived discontinuity of the group's past can undermine the perceived vitality of the future, thereby increasing the need to preserve current collective identity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.