Will we be harmed, will it be severe, can we protect ourselves? Threat appraisals predict collective angst (and its consequences)

Abstract

Across four studies, we applied the cognitive model of anxiety to explicate the appraisals that elicit collective angst (i.e., concern for the in-group's future vitality). In Study 1a, consistent with the model, Québécois experienced collective angst when they appraised the following: (1) a threat as likely to harm their group, (2) a threat as severely harming their group, and (3) Québécois as not having efficacy to protect their group. In Study 1b, results were replicated in the context of the realistic threat that Islamic extremists pose to Christian-Lebanese. In Studies 2a and 2b, we manipulated the three appraisals and found a similar pattern of results in the context of a potential terrorist attack on American soil by Islamic extremists. Importantly, collective angst mediated the threat appraisal effect on (non-Muslim) Americans' prejudice towards Muslims. The utility of the appraisal model for regulating collective angst (and thus its consequences) is discussed.Group members find comfort in the belief that there exists continuity in their group's past, present, and future (Jetten & Hutchison, 2011;Jetten & Wohl, 2012;Sani et al., 2007). This is because a sense of continuity provides existential security (Durkheim, 1951). Yet, social groups are not static; they change-a reality that, when salient, is often perceived as a threat to one's social identity (Riek, Mania, & Gaertner, 2006) and thus produces distress among group members (Chandler & Lalonde, 1998;Lampinen, Odegard, & Leding, 2004). This distress may manifest in collective angst-a group-based emotion that reflects concern for the future vitality of the in-group (Jetten & Wohl, 2012;Wohl, Branscombe, & Reysen, 2010).Importantly, collective angst originates from perceived extinction threats to one's in-group. These threats may take the form of realistic extinction threats posed by adversarial out-groups (Halperin, Porat, & Wohl, 2013;Wohl et al., 2010) but may also take the form of symbolic threats to the group's social identity (e.g., loss of cultural vitality; Wohl, Giguère, Branscombe, & McVicar, 2011). Halperin et al. (2013), for example, found that Israeli Jews experienced collective angst when they were informed that Israel did not have the capability to prevent a nuclear attack from Iran. Likewise, Canadians experienced collective angst when they perceived Canadian distinctiveness from the United States was under threat (Wohl et al., 2011). Whether the threat perceived is realistic or symbolic, the consequence of collective angst is the same-an upswing in support for efforts to strengthen the ingroup (e.g., support for policies that are perceived to be in-group protective; for a review, see Lucas, Rudolph, Zhdanova, Barkho, & Weidner, 2014;Wohl, Squires, & Caouette, 2012). To date, however, little is known about the appraisals of intergroup events that are necessary to elicit collective angst. The present research addressed this gap in knowledge by applying the cognitive model of anxiety (Beck, Emery, & Greenberg, 1985;Clark & Beck, 201...

In time, we will simply disappear: Racial demographic shift undermines privileged group members’ support for marginalized social groups via collective angst

“…Put differently, behavior is not simply a response to a cognitive appraisal of an event, behavior is the product of emotions that are elicited from the appraisal process. For instance, a plethora of empirical work has shown that appraising one’s group to be under existential threat induces collective angst—a group-based emotion that reflects concern for the ingroup’s future vitality (for reviews, see Dupuis et al, 2015 ; Wohl et al, 2012 ; see also Tabri et al, 2018 ).…”

Regaining In-Group Continuity in Times of Anxiety About the Group’s Future

“…Theoretically, collective nostalgia should serve an existential function similar to that provided by personal nostalgia – it should restore a sense of in-group continuity in times of uncertainty and existential anxiety (see Davis, 1979). While this relationship has so far not been empirically examined, social psychologists have studied group-based existential anxiety, which is termed “collective angst” (Tabri, Wohl, & Caouette, 2017; Wohl et al., 2012). Similar to personal anxiety, collective angst has a future orientation: it originates from a belief that the group will be harmed in the future, which differentiates it from the present-oriented nature of collective fear (Wohl et al, 2010).…”

National identity and beliefs about historical linguicide are associated with support for exclusive language policies among the Ukrainian linguistic majority

“…Herein, we test the idea that public support for restrictive language policies among Ukraine’s national majority group members is a function of the extent to which they feel concern for the future vitality of the Ukrainian language (i.e., they feel collective angst ; see Wohl et al, 2012 for a review). To understand the psychological mechanisms in predicting ingroup-preserving behaviour, we build on the previous experimental research on collective angst that has found that this group-based emotion stems from a belief that an important social group to which a person belongs (the ingroup) is under existential threat (e.g., Halperin et al, 2013; Jetten & Wohl, 2012; Mashuria & Zaduqisti, 2015; Tabri et al, 2018; Wohl et al, 2010; Wohl & Van Bavel, 2011). Importantly, collective angst is functional in that it motivates group members to engage in an array of behaviours that are perceived to be capable of protecting and preserving the ingroup’s future vitality (Dupuis et al, 2015; Tabri et al, 2018; Wohl et al, 2010; Wohl et al, 2012).…”

“…To understand the psychological mechanisms in predicting ingroup-preserving behaviour, we build on the previous experimental research on collective angst that has found that this group-based emotion stems from a belief that an important social group to which a person belongs (the ingroup) is under existential threat (e.g., Halperin et al, 2013; Jetten & Wohl, 2012; Mashuria & Zaduqisti, 2015; Tabri et al, 2018; Wohl et al, 2010; Wohl & Van Bavel, 2011). Importantly, collective angst is functional in that it motivates group members to engage in an array of behaviours that are perceived to be capable of protecting and preserving the ingroup’s future vitality (Dupuis et al, 2015; Tabri et al, 2018; Wohl et al, 2010; Wohl et al, 2012). In the present article, we situate collective angst by addressing the ramifications of the antecedent identity processes (Bar-Tal & Antebi, 1992; Bar-Tal et al, 2012; Roccas et al, 2006) leading to anxiety about language loss, which in turn may drive people to support policies that restrict linguistic minority groups’ rights to be taught in their native languages.…”