The author reconstitutes the immigration drama as a process of interdependent events starting in the country of origin and continuing in the host country with the participation of several social actors. Their behavior is motivated not only by the objective events but by their subjective perception and sometimes by unrealistic anticipations. Using a multifaceted psychological and sociological analysis the author reveals the overt and the hidden mechanisms of individual and group behavior in the migration drama. He creates a model in which the contradictory and often apparently illogical behaviors and attitudes of the social actors begin to make sense.
"The need to understand the immigration process is crucial and I am delighted that Professor Krau has decided to utilize social psychological theory and research in focusing on this phenomenon...in particular, by his intent to utilize dissonance theory as an effort in attempting to understand the non-obvious, subtle dimensions of post-decisional processes...Professor Krau's outline suggests that immigration is a multi-dimensional process in which a variety of social factors have impact; it is a perspective I think will make a significant contribution." (Abraham K. Korman, Baruch College) "Krau's study is a significant crossover contribution to extending social psychology theory into unexplored areas, with ramifications for influencing and raising key question for researchers involved in immigration theory and research endeavors in other interdisciplinary fields of social science. It should be included in social science collections, college libraries, and Jewish studies and graduate literature guides in social psychology." (Daniel Mitchell, The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science)