How is existential threat related to intergroup conflict? Introducing the multidimensional existential threat (MET) model.

Citation

Hirschberger, G., Ein-Dor, T., Leidner, B., & Saguy, T. (2016). How is existential threat related to intergroup conflict? Introducing the multidimensional existential threat (MET) model. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 1877.

Abstract

Existential threat lies at the heart of intergroup conflict, but the literature on existential concerns lacks clear conceptualization and integration. To address this problem, we offer a new conceptualization and measurement of existential threat. We establish the reliability and validity of our measure, and to illustrate its utility, we examine whether different existential threats underlie the association between political ideology and support for specific political policies. Study 1 (N = 798) established the construct validity of the scale, and revealed four distinct existential threats: personal death (PD), physical collective annihilation (PA), symbolic collective annihilation (SA), and past victimization (PV). Study 2 (N = 424) confirmed the 4-factor structure, and the convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. Study 3 (N = 170) revealed that the association between a hawkish political ideology and support for hardline policies was mediated by PV, whereas the association between a dovish political ideology and conciliatory policies was mediated by concerns over collective symbolic annihilation. Study 4 (N = 503) conceptually replicated the pattern of findings found in Study 3, and showed that at times of conflict, PA concerns also mediate the relationship between hawkish ideologies and support for hardline policies. In both Studies 3 and 4, when controlling for other threats, PD did not play a significant role. These results underscore the need to consider the multidimensional nature of existential threat, especially in the context of political conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)

Unique Identifier

2017-00789-001

Title

How is existential threat related to intergroup conflict? Introducing the multidimensional existential threat (MET) model.

Publication Date

Dec 5, 2016

Publication History

First Posting: Dec 5, 2016

Accepted: Nov 14, 2016

First Submitted: Feb 28, 2016

Language

English

Author Identifier

Hirschberger, Gilad; Ein-Dor, Tsachi; Leidner, Bernhard; Saguy, Tamar

Email

Hirschberger, Gilad: ghirschberger@idc.ac.il

Correspondence Address

Hirschberger, Gilad: ghirschberger@idc.ac.il

Affiliation

Hirschberger, Gilad: School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel

Ein-Dor, Tsachi: School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel

Leidner, Bernhard: Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, US

Saguy, Tamar: School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel

Source

Frontiers in Psychology, Vol 7, Dec 5, 2016, Article 1877.

NLM Title Abbreviation

Front Psychol

Page Count

18

ISSN

1664-1078(Electronic)

PMID

27994561

Publisher

Switzerland: Frontiers Media S.A.

Other Publishers

Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation

Format Covered

Electronic

Publication Type

Journal; Peer Reviewed Journal

Document Type

Journal Article

Keywords

existential threat; intergroup conflict; political attitudes

Index Terms

*Conflict; *Existentialism; *Intergroup Dynamics; *Political Attitudes; *Threat

PsycINFO Classification

3020 Group & Interpersonal Processes

Population Group

Human; Male; Female

Age Group

Adulthood (18 yrs & older); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs); Thirties (30-39 yrs); Middle Age (40-64 yrs); Aged (65 yrs & older)

Copyright

Statement: This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Holder: Hirschberger, Ein-Dor, Leidner and Saguy

Year: 2016

Location

Israel

Methodology

Empirical Study; Quantitative Study

Tests and Measures

Multidimensional Existential Threat Scale

Grant Sponsorship

Sponsor: Israel Science Foundation, Israel
Recipient: Hirschberger, Gilad, Israel
Grant Number: 427/13

Sponsor: Bi-national Science Foundation
Recipient: Hirschberger, Gilad, Israel
Grant Number: 2007230

Release Date

20170220 (PsycINFO)

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