Economic upheaval and war threats inflate perceived competition between groups

Evidence

We propose that social instability and perceived challenges to the status quo are likely to have such effects. For example, major events such as economic upheaval or threat of war may lead not only to increased protection of tangible resources held by one’s group (whose finite nature may become especially salient under such conditions), but also protection of more symbolic factors such as values and positive group distinctiveness (Rothgerber, 1997; Worchel & Coutant, 1997; see also Glick, ch. 15 this volume). Less dramatic situational influences, such as media reports of unemployment rates in different segments of the population or debate over men’s and women’s roles in society, may have similar effects (e.g., Esses et al., 1998). In both cases, the increased motivation to protect group interests is likely to increase perceived competition with other groups. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1505

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Cold War threat produced unprecedented internal cohesion in capitalist societies — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 160; Internal race-fear and external military threat fed each other on the West Coast — John Higham, Strangers in the Land: Patterns of…, 1027; Layoffs and insecurity generate a new economic war neurosis — Alain Ehrenberg, The Weariness of the Self: Diagnosing…, 906