Citation

Hackett JD, Rast D, Hohman Z. J. Soc. Psychol. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-14.

Affiliation

Texas Tech University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00224545.2019.1634506

PMID

31266403

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.

Language: en

Keywords

American South; Regional identity; Social identity; prejudice