In a world increasingly shaped by globalization, understanding and fostering good cross-group relations became crucial to mitigating intergroup differences and potential conflicts. Drawing on...Show moreIn a world increasingly shaped by globalization, understanding and fostering good cross-group relations became crucial to mitigating intergroup differences and potential conflicts. Drawing on intergroup contact theory, the goal of this paper is to investigate whether the well-established effects of intergroup contact on prejudice reduction hold true in non-Western countries as it does in a Western context. The paper further criticises prior literature on its lack of generalizability beyond Western perspectives, and argues that cultural specificities and diversity of human behaviour globally should be considered when examining the dynamics of prejudice. The central hypothesis posits that intergroup contact with outgroup members generally leads to lower prejudice levels among the dominant group. This is further operationalized by using interfaith meeting attendance among Muslims as an indicator of intergroup contact with Christians, as well as using social distancing levels as indicators of prejudice. Final results indicate a significant negative relationship between intergroup contact and prejudice levels, supporting the central hypothesis. In return, this contributes to a broader understanding of prejudice dynamics and the effectiveness of intergroup contact as a tool for prejudice reduction in non-Western contexts. By focusing on Muslim-Christian interactions in the "Global East," the research sheds light on the nuances of cross-group relations in diverse cultural settings, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach in intergroup contact research.Show less
Muslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry...Show moreMuslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry reproduces. Cinema is a form of mass media, which can play a large role in the formation of someone’s opinion. With the increase of electronic mass media, and the availability of internet worldwide, the influence of cinema is greater than ever. Cinema has proven to be one of the most influential instruments in popular culture for shaping current trends. Due to its large influence on both culture and mind-set, cinema also serves as a mean for politicians to affect the values of the civilization. Taking into account the growing influence of cinema on both ‘public opinion’ and politics, the stereotyping of Muslims could have a negative influence on the public image of Muslims worldwide. This thesis will address the following hypothesis: The representation of Muslims in popular Bollywood cinema conforms to stereotypes and constructs their identity in a negative manner.Show less
The thesis investigates in what ways cultural institutions in the West provide a platform for the representation of Muslim identities and how this can be significant for the accommodation of Muslim...Show moreThe thesis investigates in what ways cultural institutions in the West provide a platform for the representation of Muslim identities and how this can be significant for the accommodation of Muslim communities within the Netherlands at large. It does so by re-evaluating existing political and aesthetic theories and by analysing four case studies on different art and culture instances within the Netherlands.Show less
The rise of Islamic State in the Middle East and the growing levels of religiously motivated attacks by European-born Muslims have illustrated a rising radicalisation trend in those domestic...Show moreThe rise of Islamic State in the Middle East and the growing levels of religiously motivated attacks by European-born Muslims have illustrated a rising radicalisation trend in those domestic communities. This points towards some of the results of integration policies in the European Union, thus demonstrating a necessity for a re-examination of those initiatives in the context of the current political and social environment. This is especially relevant for Britain and France who are amongst the countries with the biggest Muslim communities in the European Union. Therefore, this paper will use those two countries as case studies and examine how their domestic social and political environment has shaped the identity of their Muslim communities. The paper will also examine the various initiatives that both the British and French governments have tried to introduce to facilitate the integration of those groups. The analysis will likewise encompass the impact that those policies have on the wider population. As a secondary case study, this paper will explore the capabilities and limitations imposed on the EU by the Treaties (Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union and Treaties of the European Union).Show less
Since the beginning of the PRC, the government has vigorously influenced the identity of its citizens, by both controlling and stimulating the Muslim aspect of its citizens’ identities. The various...Show moreSince the beginning of the PRC, the government has vigorously influenced the identity of its citizens, by both controlling and stimulating the Muslim aspect of its citizens’ identities. The various outcomes of these actions range from cooperation with the state to the recent separatist stances from Chinese Muslims towards their government. This thesis investigates the factors that influence the teaching of the ‘Islamic-Chinese’ identity, such as the development of state education for Muslims; Muslim private education; the influence of study abroad; the legal framework on religious education; the influences on employment prospects; and the influences of globalization. This thesis argues that both in response to and accommodated by the Chinese government’s utilitarian approach to Muslim Chinese, from the 1980s onwards the Muslim Chinese communities created a more “Muslim” identity in ways (unforeseen and) uncontrollable by the government.Show less
This study aimed to identify whether native Dutch adolescents’ contact frequency with Muslims at school is positively associated with more positive evaluations of Muslims, and if the willingness to...Show moreThis study aimed to identify whether native Dutch adolescents’ contact frequency with Muslims at school is positively associated with more positive evaluations of Muslims, and if the willingness to cooperate acted as a moderator of the effect of intergroup contact frequency on the evaluation of Muslims. As expected, findings posited that increased contact frequency and the willingness to cooperate with Muslims were indeed significantly related to increases of positive evaluations of Muslims. Additionally, the willingness to cooperate acted as a moderator of the effect of intergroup contact frequency on the evaluation of Muslims, having a facilitative effect. The present study attests to the effectiveness of the facilitative conditions through direct contact, as depicted by Allport’s (1954) intergroup contact theory.Show less
Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
open access
2017-04-16T00:00:00Z
González, Verkuyten, Weesie, and Poppe (2008) used the integrated threat theory to examine prejudice among Dutch adolescents. This study expanded this research and examined whether the integrated...Show moreGonzález, Verkuyten, Weesie, and Poppe (2008) used the integrated threat theory to examine prejudice among Dutch adolescents. This study expanded this research and examined whether the integrated threat theory is a valid model for both Dutch adolescents (n = 777) and Islamic adolescents (n = 307). Of the Dutch adolescents, 30% indicated having negative attitudes towards Muslims, while 10% of the Islamic adolescents indicated negative attitudes towards the Dutch population. Structural equation modeling indicated that the integrated threat theory is a valid model for both groups. Intergroup anxiety appeared to be the most prominent predictor of negative attitudes, followed by realistic threats and stereotypes. Symbolic threat appeared to be the least prominent factor, for Islamic adolescents not related to negative attitudes at all. Many of the threats mediated the relation between distal variables such as perceived status differences, perceived conflict, contact and willingness for contact, negative experiences and endorsement of multiculturalism. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.Show less
