Yvonne Mc Nulty 

Project Objectives

A 3x2 factorial between-groups design was utilised to examine the influence. Participants in the current study were of Irish nationality between the ages of 18-65 (N = 155), determined by a demographic questionnaire. Participants’ prosociality scores were calculated using the 16-item Prosociality Scale (PS). The Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) assessed participants’ levels of agreeableness. A modified version of the Overlap of Self in Outgroup (OSIO) measured participants' feelings of interpersonal closeness to refugees. Results from this study suggested a moderate significant difference in prosociality levels between individuals who perceive greater interpersonal closeness with the out-group. A strong significant difference in prosociality levels between individuals of low agreeableness and high agreeableness appeared to exist, with those in the high agreeableness category demonstrating more prosociality toward refugees in Ireland. No significant interaction was revealed between participants' perceived interpersonal closeness and level of agreeableness. The strengths, limitations and implications of the current study were discussed and suggestions for future research were then outlined.

Project Outcomes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of perceived interpersonal closeness (PIC) and altruism (AL) on prosociality (PS) towards immigrants in an Irish context. The main results of the research were that high levels of AL, as well as perceiving immigrants as ‘close’ interpersonally, appear to have positive effects on PS towards migrants in Ireland. Hypothesis 1 stated that there would be a difference for participants on their PS scores based on their PIC. This hypothesis was accepted as a strong result was gleaned, supporting the findings of previous literature. Hypothesis 2, stated that there would be a difference for participants in the PS scores based on their level of AL. This was accepted, though it gleaned a weaker result than Hypothesis 1. Participants' AL was measured through the Big Five personality trait of Agreeableness. A post hoc analysis indicated that a significant difference in PS exists between the low and high AL groups.
Furthermore, a significant result was not computed for Hypothesis 3, which suggests no interaction between PIC and AL.

The Effect of Perceived Interpersonal Closeness and Altruism on Prosociality towards Immigrants in an Irish Context

Migration has been a feature of Irish history for centuries, shaping the world's perception of what it means to be Irish through the exportation of our culture across the globe. That begs the question, however, as to whether our history has made us more compassionate toward others who now find themselves in similar situations to our ancestors, amid an immigration crisis. In the past decade, Ireland has seen a stark increase in the number of refugees seeking asylum. Most recently, the Afghan war has seen millions of people misplaced, with Ireland agreeing to accept approximately 1,200 Afghan refugees (Moore, 2021). Understanding the drivers of prosocial behaviour toward these migrants is essential for ensuring their successful integration in Ireland. In this research project, prosociality in the context of immigration was addressed first. Secondly, the effects of perceived interpersonal closeness with migrants were examined. Finally, the personality trait of altruism was discussed in relation to prosociality toward immigrants in Ireland.