This book engages the topic of xenophobia from both psychological and socio-political approaches. Recently, xenophobia as a social standpoint or social attitude has come under increased scrutiny by the public, scholars, and educators; however, few works have directly summarized current theories of xenophobia as well as articulated critical perspectives on the issue. This work provides an overview of the concept, historical factors related to its development, and a review of varied theoretical perspectives. The intertwining of psychological and sociological perspectives allows the author to present a multi-dimensional, multi-layered argument in a way which effectively prevents any attempt to apply any one single over-arching theory, and thus effectively presents the complexity of the topic at hand.

Reviews and defines xenophobia Provides a review of writings on anti-immigrant prejudice Gives a history of demonization of foreigners, including during Inquisition, anti-Semitic events, and eugenics-fueled anti-immigrant events

Autorentext

Oksana Yakushko is Chair of the Department of Clinical Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, California, USA.

Inhalt

1. Xenophobia.- 2. Related concepts and theories.- 3. Evolutionary theories of xenophobia.- 4. Socio-economic theories of xenophobia.- 5. Psychological theories of xenophobia.- 6. Psychoanalytic theories of xenophobia.- 7. Post-colonial and critical theories of xenophobia.- 8. Future research.