Differentiated evaluation of counter-conditioned stimuli as a function of right-wing authoritarianism

Right Wing Authoritarianism (i.e., RWA) is associated with enhanced conservatism and social prejudice. Because research linking RWA to attitudes is largely correlational (i.e., it provides control for neither RWA nor attitude learning), it is not clear how RWA relates to attitude learning dynamics. We addressed this question in 11 evaluative conditioning experiments that ensured rigorous control of the affective learning setting. Results from two integrative data analyses suggest that (i) individuals scoring higher in RWA show a stronger acquisition of positive attitudes, and that (ii) the residuals of this stronger acquisition remain even after exposure to counter-attitudinal information. Implications of these findings for research on RWA and its link to social prejudice are discussed.

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Differentiated evaluation of counter-conditioned stimuli as a function of right-wing authoritarianism

10.31234/osf.io/3mfa8 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Amélie Beffara-Bret ◽

Brice Beffara-Bret ◽

Adrien Mierop ◽

Martial Mermillod

Keyword(s):

Affective Learning ◽

Right Wing ◽

Conditioned Stimuli ◽

Learning Dynamics ◽

Right Wing Authoritarianism ◽

Data Analyses ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Attitude Learning ◽

Social Prejudice ◽

Conditioning Experiments

Right Wing Authoritarianism (i.e., RWA) is associated with enhanced conservatism and social prejudice. Because research linking RWA to attitudes is fully correlational (i.e., it offers control on neither RWA nor on attitude learning), it is not clear, how RWA relates to attitude learning dynamics. We addressed this question in 11 evaluative conditioning experiments that offered a rigorous control on the affective learning setting. Results from two integrative data analyses suggest that (i) individuals scoring higher in RWA show a stronger acquisition of positive attitudes, and that (ii) this more positive evaluation resists novel counterattitudinal information. Implications of these findings for research on RWA and its link to social prejudice are discussed.

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Prejudice-relevant Correlates of Attitudes towards Refugees: A Meta-analysis

Journal of Refugee Studies ◽

10.1093/jrs/fey062 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 502-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Misha Mei Cowling ◽

Joel R Anderson ◽

Rose Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Asylum Seekers ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Right Wing ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Right Wing Authoritarianism ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Refugees And Asylum Seekers ◽

Systematic Database

Abstract This article meta-analyses the available data on attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers, with the aim of estimating effect sizes for the relationships between these attitudes and prejudice-relevant correlates. Seventy studies (Ntotal = 13,720) were located using systematic database searches and calls for unpublished data. In the case of demographic factors, being male, religious, nationally identified, politically conservative, and less educated were associated with negative attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.11, 0.17, 0.18, 0.21, and –0.16, respectively). For ideological factors, increases in right-wing authoritarianism and social-dominance orientations correlated with negative attitudes, while the endorsement of macro (but not micro) justice principles were associated with positive attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.50, 0.50, –0.29, and 0.00, respectively). Perceptions of refugees as symbolic and realistic threats were the strongest correlates of negative attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.98 and 1.11, respectively). These findings have contributed to the growing body of knowledge that endeavors to understand the antecedents of refugee-specific prejudice, and are discussed in light of the global refugee crisis.

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Prejudice-Relevant Correlates of Attitudes Towards Refugees: A Meta-Analysis

10.31219/osf.io/7yxae ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Misha Mei Cowling ◽

Joel Anderson ◽

Rose Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Asylum Seekers ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Right Wing ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Right Wing Authoritarianism ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Refugees And Asylum Seekers ◽

Systematic Database

This paper meta-analyses the available data on attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers, with the aim of estimating effect sizes for the relationships between these attitudes and prejudice-relevant correlates. Seventy studies (Ntotal = 13,720) were located using systematic database searches and calls for unpublished data. In the case of demographic factors, being male, religious, nationally identified, politically conservative, and less educated were associated with negative attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.11, 0.17, 0.18, 0.21, & -0.16, respectively). For ideological factors, increases in right-wing authoritarianism and social-dominance orientations correlated with negative attitudes, while the endorsement of macro (but not micro) justice principles were associated with positive attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.50, 0.50, -0.29, & 0.00 respectively). Perceptions of refugees as symbolic and realistic threats were the strongest correlates of negative attitudes (Fisher’s zs = 0.98, & 1.11, respectively). These findings have contributed to the growing body of knowledge that endeavors to understand the antecedents of refugee-specific prejudice, and are discussed in light of the global refugee crisis.

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