Migration Psychology: New Behavioral Models
James T. Fawcett
East-West Population Institute
Migration is a topic that links the interests of population psy-
chologists and environmental psychologists. The past two decades
have witnessed important developments in psychologically-oriented
studies of migration behavior. New decision making models that in-
corporate place perceptions and motivational constructs provide a
context for the studies of migration intentions and behavior col-
lected in this special issue.
Migration—the movement of a person from one location to another—
can be understood to take many forms, including a relatively permanent
change Of residence from one city Or rural area to another, a move from
one neighborhood to another within the same city (residential mobility),
temporary moves for purposes such as seasonal employment or to attend
school (circulation), and voluntary or involuntary movements across na-
tional boundries (immigration, international labor migration, refugee move-
ments). Migration is one Of the main factors in population redistribution
and thus plays a dynamic role in such areas Of critical concern as rapid
urbanization Of the world's population, the balance between population
and resources, and human impacts on the natural environment. Most
studies Of migration have been conducted from a macroeconomic Or
social-demographic perspective, looking at migration as an aggregate
phenomenon.
A complementary perspective is taken in migration psychology, where
the conceptual focus is at the microlevel. Migration psychology is the study
of individual behavior with respect to movement across space. Studies in
this field often deal with the subjective correlates of migration behavior,
such as underlying attitudes, values, perceptions and migration intentions.
Requests for reprints should be sent to the author at the East-West Population Institute,
1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96848.
Population and Environment, Volume 8, Number 1 & 2, SprinWSummer 1985-86
@ 1986 Human Sciences Press
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