Ideology and Prejudice: The Role of Value Conflicts

30 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2012

See all articles by John R. Chambers

John R. Chambers

St. Louis University

Barry Schlenker

University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Psychology

Brian Collisson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 15, 2012

Abstract

In three studies, we tested whether prejudice derives from perceived similarities and dissimilarities in political ideologies. Across three diverse samples in Study 1, conservatives expressed more prejudice than liberals against groups that were identified as liberal (e.g., African-Americans, homosexuals), but less prejudice against groups identified as conservative (e.g., Christian fundamentalists, business people). Studies 2 and 3 independently manipulated a target’s race (European-American or African-American) and political attitudes (liberal or conservative). Both studies found symmetrical preferences, with liberals and conservatives each liking attitudinally similar targets and disliking dissimilar targets. The amount of prejudice was comparable for liberals and conservatives, and race of the target had no effect. In all three studies, the patterns were obtained even after controlling for individual differences on prejudice-related dimensions (e.g., system justification, social dominance orientation, modern racism). The patterns strongly support the ideological similarity-dissimilarity hypothesis and indicate that prejudice exists on both sides of the political spectrum.

Keywords: Ideology, Prejudice, Values, Politics, System Justification, Social Dominance Orientation

Suggested Citation

Chambers, John R. and Schlenker, Barry and Collisson, Brian, Ideology and Prejudice: The Role of Value Conflicts (February 15, 2012). Psychological Science, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2046999

John R. Chambers (Contact Author)

St. Louis University ( email )

3511 LaClede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63103
United States

Barry Schlenker

University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Psychology ( email )

Gainesville, FL 32610-0496
United States

Brian Collisson

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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