2008/02/19 by Karina Velasco González, Maykel Verkuyten, Jeroen Weesie +1 · 4 citations
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence #Cultural Differences and Values #Prejudice (legal term) #Social psychology #Psychology #Multiculturalism #Feeling #Contact hypothesis #Identification (biology) #Antecedent (behavioral psychology) #Contact theory
paper · doi:10.1348/014466608x284443
openalex publication_date 2008/02/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/10
This study uses integrated threat theory to examine Dutch adolescents' (N=1,187) prejudice towards Muslim minorities. One out of two participants was found to have negative feelings towards Muslims. Perceived symbolic and realistic threat and negative stereotypes were examined as mediators between antecedent factors (in-group identification, intergroup contact, and the endorsement of multiculturalism) and prejudice. Based on structural equation modelling, it was found that stereotypes and symbolic threats, but not realistic threats, predicted prejudice towards Muslims. Further, it was found that the effect of in-group identification on prejudice was fully mediated by symbolic threat, the effect of contact was partially mediated by stereotypes, and the effect of the endorsement of multiculturalism was mediated by both symbolic threat and stereotypes. In addition, contact and multiculturalism were directly associated with prejudice towards Muslims. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.