SDO and RWA predict prejudice through distinct threat perceptions

Evidence

In line with the focus on perceptions of group competition and threat, contemporary research has also highlighted the importance of individual differences in perceptions of group competition and threat that may lead to prejudice (see Duckitt, ch. 24 this volume). For example, research has shown that individuals who are high in Social Dominance Orientation (i.e., those who believe in group inequality and support group hierarchies in society) tend to see the world in terms of inherent competition among groups for dominance and power, and are thus especially likely to display prejudice and discrimination (e.g., Esses et al., 1998; Sidanius & Pratto, 1999). Research has also shown that individuals who are high in Right- Wing Authoritarianism are especially sensitive to threats to their traditional values, and display negative attitudes and behavior toward those seen to hold values different from their own (e.g., Altemeyer, 1996; Esses, Haddock, & Zanna, 1993). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1492

Categorization

• DEFINE: Concise contrast of SDO (competition for dominance) versus RWA (threat to traditional values) as two distinct routes to prejudice.
• XREF: Distinguishes dual-process routes to prejudice central to Duckitt’s model — relevant to the vault’s prejudice-psychology claims.