Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Pages: 567-581

Journal: European Sociological Review

Volume number: 24

Issue number: 5

ISSN: 0266-7215

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcn029

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract: 
Despite the resurgence of interest in group threat theory for explaining negative interethnic relations, adequate empirical evidence on the causal ordering of perceived group threat and outgroup derogation is still missing. In the literature, three theoretical perspectives concerning this issue have been raised. The predominating view assumes that perceived group threat is a causal antecedent to outgroup derogation. Contrary to this perspective, a second theoretical model conceptualizes perceived group threat to be a consequence of prior levels of outgroup derogation. Alternatively, a third theoretical perspective suggests to consider the causal relations between perceived group threat and outgroup derogation to be reciprocal. In this article, we conduct a longitudinal test of these competing theoretical models drawing upon cross-national multiwave panel surveys from Germany and Russia. Using latent autoregressive cross-lagged models, we find that perceptions of threatened group interests are causally antecedent to Germans dislike and negative behavioural intentions against foreigners as well as to Russians ethnic distance towards minorities. The data provide no support for the two alternative models. Findings are discussed with regard to its meaning for group threat theory.

Harvard Citation style: Schlueter, E., Schmidt, P. and Wagner, U. (2008) Disentangling the Causal Relations of Perceived Group Threat and Outgroup Derogation: Cross-national Evidence from German and Russian Panel Surveys, European Sociological Review, 24(5), pp. 567-581. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcn029

APA Citation style: Schlueter, E., Schmidt, P., & Wagner, U. (2008). Disentangling the Causal Relations of Perceived Group Threat and Outgroup Derogation: Cross-national Evidence from German and Russian Panel Surveys. European Sociological Review. 24(5), 567-581. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcn029