Boerma, Jasper (2025) Fueling the Fire: How Different Identity ThreatTypes Shape Hate. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This research investigated how different types of symbolic identity threat influence feelings of hate and how these effects are shaped by political ideology. In an online experimental design, 387 American participants were exposed to social media posts manipulating five types of identity threat (morality, competence, distinctiveness, categorization, and control) and two levels of threat source (ingroup vs. outgroup). Participants then reported their feelings of hate, and completed personal and national identity threat perception scales. Results showed that all four symbolic threat types elicited significantly higher hate feelings compared to the control condition, supporting theories emphasizing the role of symbolic devaluation in intergroup hostility. However, no differences emerged between threat types, and threat level did not significantly predict hate. Political extremism did not predict hate, contrary to expectations, but political orientation did predict both personal and national identity threat, with right-leaning individuals reporting greater perceived threat. These findings suggest that symbolic threats are potent triggers of hate regardless of their specific content, and that political orientation, rather than extremism, may better explain differences in threat sensitivity. Theoretical implications highlight the need to distinguish between attitudinal extremity and ideological rigidity, while practical implications call for identity-sensitive approaches in policy and communication to reduce intergroup hate.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Martinez Moreno, C.A. and Otten, S. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Nov 2025 13:42 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Nov 2025 13:42 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5982 |
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