Bai, H., & Federico, C. M.
(2021). Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Volume 94, May 2021, 104114
Abstract
We present four studies (one correlational and three experimental) of American Whites that examine relationships between White and minority demographic shifts, intergroup threat, and support for extreme-right groups and actions. We focus in particular on the role of collective existential threat (i.e., a perception that the ingroup will cease to exist), along with three alternative/competing intergroup threats: status threat, symbolic threat, and prototypicality threat. Though no zero-order relationship was found between perceived White population decline and far-right variables, we find evidence that (1) perceived White population decline leads to collective existential threat net of other perceived demographic shifts, (2) collective existential threat is related to far-right support net of other threats, and (3) perceived White decline has a robust indirect relationship with measures of far-right support via collective existential threat.
Highlights
• Perceived White population decline leads to collective existential threat net of other perceived demographic shifts.
• Existential threat is related to far-right support net of other threats.
• Perceived White population decline has a robust indirect relationship with measures of far-right support via collective existential threat.
