Consequences of the 2008 financial crisis for intergroup relations

Abstract

Why do societal crises often lead to intergroup conflict? We propose that the interplay of unspecific threat and causal attributions differentially predicts increases in ethnic prejudice and anti-Semitism. We tested this hypothesis in the context of the 2008 financial crisis. The results of Study 1 ( N = 890) demonstrated on the basis of representative survey data that threat elicited by the financial crisis was related with ethnic prejudice once the cause was attributed to immigrants, whereas it was related with anti-Semitism once the cause of the crisis was attributed to bankers and speculators. In Study 2 ( N = 157), we experimentally manipulated threat and type of causal attributions and replicated the results of Study 1. Moreover, we found that regardless of the threat manipulation, participants did not respond with increased prejudice against out-groups if a system-level explanation for the crisis, namely the economic system, was salient.

When lack of control enhances closeness to others: The case of unemployment and economic threat

“…Previous literature showed increased prejudice after control threats evoked by an economic crisis (Becker et al, 2011;Butz & Yogeeswaran, 2011;Greenaway et al, 2014), which is why in this study we focused mainly on prejudice measures. Previous literature showed increased prejudice after control threats evoked by an economic crisis (Becker et al, 2011;Butz & Yogeeswaran, 2011;Greenaway et al, 2014), which is why in this study we focused mainly on prejudice measures.…”

“…One common way of coping with uncontrollability is by self-categorizing and acting as a member of a specific social group (Bukowski, Fritsche, Guinote, & Kofta, 2017;Fritsche et al, 2013). Numerous research findings show that this group-based control restoration strategy can result in enhanced ethnocentrism, prejudice, blaming or scapegoating, and hostility towards outgroups (Becker, Wagner, & Christ, 2011;Bukowski, de Lemus, Rodriguez-Bail on, & Willis, 2017;Butz & Yogeeswaran, 2011;Fritsche et al, 2013;Greenaway, Louis, Hornsey, & Jones, 2014;Warburton, Williams, & Cairns, 2006). Numerous research findings show that this group-based control restoration strategy can result in enhanced ethnocentrism, prejudice, blaming or scapegoating, and hostility towards outgroups (Becker, Wagner, & Christ, 2011;Bukowski, de Lemus, Rodriguez-Bail on, & Willis, 2017;Butz & Yogeeswaran, 2011;Fritsche et al, 2013;Greenaway, Louis, Hornsey, & Jones, 2014;Warburton, Williams, & Cairns, 2006).…”

What triggers helping versus harming of ambivalent groups? Effects of the relative salience of warmth versus competence

“…Groups that are perceived as having a higher social status are stereotyped as competent, groups that are perceived as competitive are stereotyped as lacking warmth . Thus, the characterization of groups as high status competitors seems to be particularly problematic Especially in times of societal crises, when resources become scarce, the (positive) perception of a group because of its high status can backfire, because this can lead to a subjectively perceived competition for scarce resources (e.g., Becker, Wagner, & Christ, 2011). Therefore, to avoid behavior that can lead to active harm of groups stereotyped as cold and competent, the present research suggests that particularly in times of social and economic frustrations, it is important to not stylize this group as competitors and thus as lacking warmth.…”

How Political Orientation and Vulnerability Shape Representations of the Economic Crisis in Greece and Italy

“…Our results confirmed the consistent role of this factor in lay representations of the crisis and political participation. In all the cases, with the exception of overconsumption, economic vulnerability was positively linked to causal attributions about the crisis (see Becker et al, 2011), depicting a negative vision of the world (see Staerklé et al, 2007). This effect was in some cases amplified by the local conditions and situation: Indeed, vulnerable Greeks, compared to vulnerable Italians, attributed more the crisis to an obscure power conspiracy and to the failure of the political system.…”

“…Castel (2003) noticed that social vulnerability, based on a real -or not -material precariousness, makes some people more suspicious and less tolerant, thus weakening social ties, which should specifically ensure the continuity and stability of daily life (Castel, 2003;Likki & Staerklé, 2014). Becker, Wagner, and Christ (2011) have discussed how economic and financial crises may elicit a kind of unspecific threat because generally ordinary people have difficulties to clearly understand all their complexity. In this situation, people may be motivated to join protest movements to cope with the threat, with the risk of exacerbating intergroup tensions.…”