Misperceptions about Immigration: Reviewing Their Nature, Motivations and Determinants

Abstract Across Western democracies, immigration has become one of the most polarizing and salient issues, with public discourses individual attitudes often characterized by misperceptions. This condition undermines people's ability to develop informed opinions on matter runs counter ideal deliberative democracy. Yet, our understanding what makes so prone misperceptions is still limited – a conundrum that this review seeks answer in three steps. First, we take stock existing evidence nature about immigration. Secondly, borrow from diverse bodies literature identify their motivational underpinnings elaborate how protection group identity, defence self-interest security concerns can lead distorted perceptions Thirdly, highlight relevant determinants at level both contextual influences predispositions. We conclude are ubiquitous likely remain key element politics.