The relationships between members of minority and majority groups, the prejudice of members of the latter, and the acculturation processes that members of majority groups expect members of minority groups to engage in are highly relevant social issues in contemporary societies. Recently, some scholars of intergroup relations have proposed analysing this social issue in relation to inter-individual differences in attachment orientation, suggesting that such orientations might influence prejudice, attitudes behaviour and acculturation preferences. Attachment Theory, in fact, focuses on two crucial concepts for intergroup relations: feelings of safety and threat perception. The aim of the present study is therefore to investigate whether and to what extent differences in individuals' attachment orientations are associated with different profiles and levels of attitudes (stereotypes, emotions, behavioural intentions) towards members of two ethnic minorities (Moroccans and Romanians) and the acculturation preferences of the members of two majority groups (Italians and Spaniards). Acculturation preferences towards minority groups will be measured according to the Relative Acculturation Extended Model. In addition, since laboratory studies have observed that priming 'secure base' by elicit more positive self-representations activates more positive reactions towards outgroup members, in a second step we will attempt to develop safety-building interventions that can reduce ethnic prejudice in Italians and Spaniards, foster contact and integration preferences of members of ethnic groups living in the same community, and thus promote community well-being
