Perceived threat differs from group grievance by targeting change agents rather than group structure.

Evidence

Perceptions of incompatible group interests and fraternal deprivation are attitudes focused on the structure of group relations; that is, they concern the conditions and characteristic features of group relations. Perceived threat, in contrast, concerns reactions to the primary sources or agents of pressure for social change. Attempts to alter the structural relations between groups may come from the actions of specific individuals or groups, or from broad and diverse social movements. To the degree that a social movement commands widespread, sustained media coverage, elite attention, and public salience, the response of the mass public becomes an indicator of perceived threat. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3368

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes two distinct attitude types: grievance about structural relations vs. threat from change agents, with media salience as the trigger for the latter.
• XREF: connects to: Equality gains by subordinate groups trigger perceived threat in dominant groups — David Theo Goldberg, The Threat of Race: Reflections on…, 151