Identification with the American South and Anti-Muslim Attitudes

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Hate Crime Studies

Background:

• Anti-Muslim hate groups and hate crimes significantly increased in the U.S. between 2015 and 2016.
• Addressing the rise in anti-Muslim prejudice is a critical societal concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of regional identification, specifically with the American South, in predicting anti-Muslim attitudes.
• To investigate the mediating factors, such as conservative values, in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Survey research involving 406 participants.
• Statistical analysis to assess the relationship between regional identification, conservative values, and anti-Muslim attitudes.

Main Results:

• Strong identification with the American South was a significant predictor of anti-Muslim attitudes.
• This relationship was mediated by conservative values, particularly a resistance to change.
• Participants strongly identifying with the South perceived the Muslim faith as a societal threat.

Conclusions:

• Regional identification, particularly with the conservative American South, is linked to increased anti-Muslim prejudice.
• Conservative values and threat perception play a key role in mediating anti-Muslim bias among strongly identified Southerners.
• Understanding these regional and value-based factors is crucial for developing interventions against anti-Muslim bias.