Rosenberg, Jakob (2025) Who Hates the Most: An Analysis of Symbolic Threats to Different Facets of Identity and the Effects of Centrality. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This study examines how symbolic threats to different identity facets influence feelings of hate, considering the centrality of these identity facets. Prior research has emphasized identity threat as a key driver of hate but has overlooked the differentiation between threats to demographic, preference-based, and value-based identity facets. Using an experimental design, 489 American participants were randomly exposed to threatening messages tailored to their previously identified central identity facets. Subsequently, they rated their hate reactions using an adapted Passionate Hate Scale. An ANCOVA analysis revealed a non-significant difference between identity facets, suggesting similar responses across identity types. However, identity centrality was positively associated with stronger hate reactions, indicating that regardless identity facet, the more central it is to individuals, the more intense the hate they experience when it is threatened. Contrary to expectations, threats to value-based identity facets did not elicit stronger hate reactions compared to other facets, nor was there a significant interaction effect between identity type and centrality. These outcomes might have been influenced by weak threat perception. Nevertheless, our findings highlight identity centrality as a crucial driver of hate reactions, contributing to our understanding of interpersonal interactions. Therefore these insights might inform interventions aimed at mitigating social polarization by emphasizing the protection of central identity facets.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Martinez Moreno, C.A. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2025 07:28 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Dec 2025 05:10 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5423 |
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