Perceived Respect and Generalized Acceptance in a Multinational Society

Previous research on subgroup respect has predominantly focused on ethnic minorities. This research shows that higher perceived respect predicts more positive out-group attitudes, as well as more positive feelings towards the nation and higher levels of trust in its institutions (Huo & Molina, 2006; see also Huo, Molina, Binning, & Funge, 2010). Perceived respect among minorities is positively related to attitudes towards the majority group and the nation, because it signifies that the subgroup is recognized and valued as part of the collective. In this paper, I will argue that the notion of subgroup respect can also be important for members of ‘majority groups’, especially in a multinational society such as Belgium or the UK. The most striking outcome of perceived subgroup respect is not the direct reciprocal relation, subgroup members have a more positive attitude towards the group which they perceive respects them, or the more positive attitude towards society as a whole, but that it can have a positive effect on attitudes towards yet other (third) subgroups in society. Simon and Grabow (2012) have shown, for instance, that gays and lesbians who feel respected by the majority of society tend to have a more positive attitude towards Muslim minorities. The theoretical argument is that the experience of respect affirms the general principle that all subgroups in society are deserving of respectful treatment. In the present paper, I argue that an additional explanation of the relation between perceived respect and attitudes towards diverse outgroups is that perceived respect increases general social trust. The analysis is based on a sample of Dutch-speaking Belgian university students, who have answered questions on perceived respect from French-speaking Belgians, generalized social trust, and attitudes towards French-speaking Belgians and other subgroups in society, such as Muslims, Roma and gays. Results show that perceived respect from French-speaking Belgians is associated with more positive attitudes towards diverse outgroups in society, partly due to increased general social trust. The implication is that positive and respectful relations between the major groups in a multinational society will also have a positive effect on attitudes towards other, smaller, minority groups.