European Journal of Social Psychology
Volume 45, Issue 5, 2015, Pages 641-652

When immigrant groups "misbehave": The influence of perceived deviant behavior on increased threat and discriminatory intentions and the moderating role of right-wing authoritarianism (Article)

Kauff M.* , Asbrock F. , Issmer C. , Thörner S. , Wagner U.
  • a Institute for Psychology, FernUniversität in Hagen, Hagen, Germany
  • b Institute for Psychology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
  • c Zentrum für Schulpsychologie, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • d Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
  • e Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany

Abstract

In two studies, we tested the relationship between non-immigrant individuals' perceptions of deviant behavior carried out by Muslims and foreigners and discriminatory intentions towards these outgroups. Based on a longitudinal and a representative cross-sectional sample, we showed that two different types of perceived deviant behavior (Study 1, Muslims' unwillingness to integrate; and Study 2, foreigners' hostility towards the non-immigrant majority group) are related to increased intergroup threat, which in turn is related to increased intentions to show passive discrimination (i.e., avoidance) towards these outgroups. In line with theorizing about an increased sensitivity for threat in authoritarian individuals, the relationship between perceptions of deviant behavior and threat was especially strong among high authoritarian individuals. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are discussed. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939569719&doi=10.1002%2fejsp.2116&partnerID=40&md5=835a2b46fc25ac5fa675f34935840d73
DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2116
ISSN: 00462772
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English