Why are some people more susceptible to ingroup threat than others? The importance of a relative extrinsic to intrinsic value orientation

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Date
2012
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Abstract
Whereas an individual differences perspective recently pointed to the importance of a relative extrinsic to intrinsic value orientation in the prediction of outgroup attitudes, the intergroup relations perspective stresses the importance of threat. This study investigates the interplay of both perspectives. A scenario study among high-school students showed that only people who attach greater relative importance to extrinsic values react with a negative attitude towards an outgroup that is portrayed as threatening. A longitudinal study among university students then showed that people with a relatively greater extrinsic value orientation are not only more likely to react to threat but also to perceive threat. Specifically, cross-lagged analyses showed that a relatively greater extrinsic value orientation predicted over-time increases in threat perceptions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Keywords
Goals, Values, Intrinsic goals, Extrinsic goals, Threat, Feelings of threat, Threat induction, Threat perceptions, Outgroup attitudes
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