Research Details

Abstract

Using a random sample of 243 Muslims in Lebanon and Syria, we examined whether support for Hezbollah or for Al Qaeda is predicted by functionally-relevant emotional responses to specific threats perceived to be posed by Americans. In line with the sociofunctional approach, perceived resource domination threat from Americans elicited anger, and perceived value contamination threat elicited disgust/contempt toward Americans. Importantly, these intergroup emotions in turn differentially predicted support for Hezbollah and Al Qaeda through desires for the organizations to accomplish different goals to address the threat perceptions. Specifically, anger toward Americans predicted support for Hezbollah through desires for the organization to restore threatened symbolic resources by bringing pride and respect to Arabs. In contrast, disgust/contempt toward Americans predicted support for Al Qaeda through desires for the organization to protect threatened ingroup values by de-contaminating Islam from Western cultural influence. Theoretical explanations and implications for addressing and mitigating hostilities between the groups are discussed.

Type

Article

Author(s)

Shana Levin, Nour Kteily, Felicia Pratto, Jim Sidanius, Miriam Matthews

Date Published

2015

Citations

Levin, Shana, Nour Kteily, Felicia Pratto, Jim Sidanius, and Miriam Matthews. 2015. Muslims' emotions towards Americans predict support for Hezbollah and Al Qaeda for threat-specific reasons. Motivation and Emotion.