Regional differences in prejudice

Abstract

Schaefer R. T. (1974) Regional differences in prejudice, Reg. Studies 9, 1–14. Generally little attention has been given to the impact that regional differences might have in levels of racial prejudice toward Commonwealth immigrants. This paper examines the data of the 1966–1967 Survey of Race Relations which permit such geographical comparisons. In the analysis of five boroughs or towns, prejudice was highest where the concentration of immigrants and the white residents personal experience with them is the greatest. Nationally differences were not so clearly tied to presence or absence of immigrants. The South-West or West Country and the North-West had the highest levels of prejudice with the South-East exhibiting the least. London, which occupied a middle position, had the same level of prejudice as Scotland and somewhat higher than Wales. Explanations are offered for these observed differences. Racial prejudice is found not to vary randomly throughout Great Britain, but is greater in certain areas tha...