Thinking dispositions are related to more positive attitudes toward immigrants

Abstract

Thinking dispositions have been rather unaddressed as potential factors of attitudes toward immigrants, although they may be of relevance. Therefore, the present study aims to examine this issue while hypothesizing indirect relationships. A convenience sample of 650 Slovaks completed an online survey. The analysis revealed that the need for cognition and perspective taking were positively related to actively open-minded thinking, which, in turn, was positively related to more positive attitudes toward immigrants. The relationships held, even when controlling for the effects of the covariates, such as intergroup contact and generalized trust. These findings suggest conceptual differences between thinking dispositions. Importantly, they outline that more thinking intertwined with taking other perspectives and open-mindedness is a potential way to view immigrants more positively.