Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
Published on: June 19, 2019
Norwegian citizens' responses to influxes of asylum seekers: comparing across two refugee crises
1Department of Government, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
We compared Norwegians' attitudes to immigration, perspective taking, and intergroup behaviors directed at asylum seekers in 2016 (Syrians and Afghans) and 2022 (Ukrainians). We find evidence for a stronger exclusionary response to the asylum seekers in 2016 than in 2022. Attitudes to immigration were more negative in 2016 than in 2022, and skepticism and avoiding asylum seekers was more common. However, the dominant behavior in both years was prosocial (greeting and donating) and Norwegians' willingness to take asylum seekers perspective was similar in 2016 and 2022. These results may reflect an absence of a symbolic threat in 2022 and may be connected to differences in the political rhetoric about asylum seekers in 2015/2016 and 2022.
Related Concept Videos
Surveys
Bystander Effect
The Availability Heuristic
In- and Out-Groups
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Cognitive Dissonance

