Date of Award
Spring 6-10-2022
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Christine Reyna, PhD
Second Advisor
Verena Graupmann, PhD
Third Advisor
Kimberly Quinn, PhD
Abstract
Cultural change is an inevitable aspect of life; however, how people react to cultural change can dramatically vary. Of particular interest to this analysis is how White Americans react to cultural changes occurring in the nation. Across three studies, I examined how White Americans may see cultural change, in the form of demographic change, as threatening and how these threat perceptions may influence their endorsement of White nationalism beliefs and support for outgroup restricting policies. This investigation found that White participants who read about real demographic changes occurring in the nation endorsed more threat perceptions (Study 1). Furthermore, there was tentative evidence that certain threat perceptions were positively related to endorsement of White nationalism beliefs and support for outgroup restricting policies. Although attempts to manipulate specific threat perceptions within the cultural change paradigm was relatively successful (Study 2a), none of these threat manipulations predicted endorsement of White nationalism beliefs nor support for outgroup restricting policies (Study 2b). Theoretical implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Bellovary, Andrea, "Cultural Change and Threat Perception: Causal Implications on White Nationalist Beliefs and Outgroup Restricting Policies" (2022). College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations. 417.
https://via.library.depaul.edu/csh_etd/417
SLP Collection
no