Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Intergeneration Mobility and OutGroup Prejudice and Discrimination: Empirical Analyses of the Data from the 2005 China General Social Survey

Author:Qin Guangqiang,The School of Sociology and Population Studies,Renmin University of China     

  1. Author:Qin Guangqiang,The School of Sociology and Population Studies,Renmin University of China  
  • Online:2011-07-20 Published:2011-07-20
  • Contact: Author:Qin Guangqiang,The School of Sociology and Population Studies,Renmin University of China E-mail:xianqian123@yahoo.com.cn
  • About author:Author:Qin Guangqiang,The School of Sociology and Population Studies,Renmin University of China

Abstract:

With the focus placed on the “consequences and impacts of social mobility,” this paper analyzes the data from the 2005 China General Social Survey using Sobel’s diagonal reference model as an instrument to examine the links between intergenerational mobility across classes and urban residents’ prejudice. The study shows that social mobility itself may affect attitudes independent of one’s origin class or destination class. In contrast to the origin class, the individual’s destination class has a greater effect on his/her attitudes as his/her age increases. Moving into a class with a culture that encourages less prejudice or discrimination can significantly decrease one’s prejudice, whereas upward or downward mobility can increase one’s prejudice against immigrants. The paper also proposes that stratification and mobility research should not only study the objective aspects of the social structure and its openness but also the subjective aspects of the effects of stratification and mobility on individuals’ behaviors and attitudes.

Key words: intergenerational mobility , out group prejudice, the diagonal reference model , acculturation , mobility direction