Building on framing research and on cognitive dissonance theory, the paper
examines the differentiated moderating effect of party discourse on prejudiced
attitudes against immigrants. Using ESS 2002 data, the study finds that
individuals who are positively oriented toward immigrants become more so when
confronted with party discourses with anti-immigrant tones. This effect is,
however, visible only when it comes to acceptance in one's private sphere, that
is, acceptance of inter-ethnic marriage. The study also found some evidence that
friendship with immigrants is not strong enough to impede natives to accept the
idea of deporting unemployed immigrants.
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