The role of social identification, intergroup threat, and out-group derogation in explaining belief in conspiracy theory about terrorism in Indonesia

Abstract

This current research was to give new insight into group-based variables that frame belief in conspiracy about terrorism in Indonesia. Results (N = 201) showed that social identification with Moslem was positively related to out-group derogation to the Western people and to the belief that these people have conspired to instigate terrorism in Indonesia. We also demonstrated that, in line with prediction, the effect of social identification on out-group derogation and belief in conspiracy theory held only when participants perceived the Western people as highly threatening Islamic identity. This perceived intergroup threat also structured the mediation role of out-group derogation. More specifically, we hypothesized and found that out-group derogation mediated the effect of social identification on belief in the conspiracy theory, only when Moslem participants perceived the Western people as highly threatening their Islamic identity. We discussed these findings in terms of theoretical and practical implications.

‘They will not control us’: Ingroup positivity and belief in intergroup conspiracies

“…Conspiracy beliefs are more likely to arise when positive in-group identity is in some way threatened or undermined. Previous research by Mashuri andZaduqisti (2013, 2014) showed that in-group identification predicts conspiracy beliefs in the context of situational threats. We demonstrate that conspiracy beliefs are robustly predicted by chronically threatened in-group positivity in the form of collective narcissism.…”

“…For example, in a study conducted by Kofta, S dek, & Sławuta (2011) threatening the in-group image by reminders of past crimes increased the endorsement of conspiracy stereotypes of out-groups. Similarly, research conducted in Indonesia demonstrated that intergroup threat amplifies the positive effects of chronic (as well as temporarily salient) Muslim identification on conspiracy beliefs about Westerners instigating terrorism in Indonesia (Mashuri & Zaduqisti, 2013). Because collective narcissism is a robust predictor of intergroup threat sensitivity, there are reasons to expect that collective narcissism should predict belief in the conspiratorial intentions of out-group members.…”

We believe in your conspiracy if we distrust you: the role of intergroup distrust in structuring the effect of Islamic identification, competitive victimhood, and group incompatibility on belief in a conspiracy theory

“…This rationale is in line with the observation by van Bruinessen (2003) who reported that some Indonesian Muslims who strongly identify with Islam believe in a theory of international conspiracies to weaken Muslims, often masterminded by assorted enemies of Islam such as Zionists, Christian missionaries or imperialist politicians. Mashuri and Zaduqisti (2014) recently found that the more strongly Muslim participants identify with Islam, the more they believe that Western conspiracies have been accountable for perpetrating terrorism in Indonesia.…”

The effect of intergroup threat and social identity salience on the belief in conspiracy theories over terrorism in indonesia: collective angst as a mediator

“…In support of this argumentation, Mashuri and Zaduqisti (2014) recently found that symbolic threat perceived by the Indonesian Muslim students amplified the impact of Islamic identification on the belief in Western people's conspiracies to create terrorism in Indonesia. Guided by these lines of reasoning, through this study we expect that the combination of realistic threat and symbolic threat posed by Western countries leads some Indonesian Muslims to believe that the Western countries have conspired to provoke terrorism in Indonesia.…”