Resumen de Identity and ingroup/outgroup relationships

Daniela Damigella, Loretta Eterno, Orazio Licciardello

• The Sicilian cultural context is characterized by a millenary history of multicultural relationships, which have profoundly affected the life of the island and its population.

  For some decades, Sicily has been an important destination for immigrants seeking to improve their quality of life. Specifically, in the south-eastern part of the island the largest immigrant group comprises people from Maghreb who work in farms (especially greenhouses).

  The coexistence of people with different cultural backgrounds poses the question related to the quality of their relationships.

  The present study was carried out to explore the representational framework expressed by a sample of immigrants from Maghreb living in the south-eastern Sicily about the Ingroup/Outgroup relationships and the ‘place’ where they are settled. Rating Scales and Semantic Differentials were used.

  The data showed complex and nonlinear attitudes towards ingroup/outgroup relationships and the Institutions and indicated the pressing need to realize integration projects.