Humans adapt to social diversity over time

Miguel R. Ramos (), Matthew R. Bennett, Douglas S. Massey () and Miles Hewstone
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Miguel R. Ramos: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6AE, United Kingdom; Centro de Investigação e de Intervenção Social, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
Matthew R. Bennett: Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
Douglas S. Massey: Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
Miles Hewstone: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6AE, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019, vol. 116, issue 25, 12244-12249

Abstract: Humans have evolved cognitive processes favoring homogeneity, stability, and structure. These processes are, however, incompatible with a socially diverse world, raising wide academic and political concern about the future of modern societies. With data comprising 22 y of religious diversity worldwide, we show across multiple surveys that humans are inclined to react negatively to threats to homogeneity (i.e., changes in diversity are associated with lower self-reported quality of life, explained by a decrease in trust in others) in the short term. However, these negative outcomes are compensated in the long term by the beneficial influence of intergroup contact, which alleviates initial negative influences. This research advances knowledge that can foster peaceful coexistence in a new era defined by globalization and a socially diverse future.

Keywords: social diversity; trust; intergroup contact; well-being; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nas:journl:v:116:y:2019:p:12244-12249

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