Identification with the American South and Anti-Muslim Attitudes. Issue 2 (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hackett, Justin D.; Rast, David; Hohman, Zachary
• Is Part Of: Journal of social psychology. Volume 160:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: Regional identity -- American South -- Social identity -- prejudice; Social psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2019.1634506
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4545

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The number of anti-Muslim hate groups in the U.S. nearly tripled between 2015 and 2016. In addition, the number of hate crimes committed against members of the religion jumped 67% in 2015 alone. Addressing the rise in anti-Muslim prejudice is critical. We examined ( N = 406) the role of regional identification in predicting anti-Muslim attitudes. That is, identification with the American South, a more conservative and religious part of the country with a history of slavery and violent secession movements, predicted anti-Muslim attitudes. This relationship was mediated by conservation values. For Southerners who strongly identified with "the South", the endorsement of values related to a general resistance to change led to greater anti-Muslim attitudes. Anti-Muslim bias may lie in perceptions of threat: for strongly identified Southerners, the Muslim faith is viewed as a societal threat.