Pandemic and prejudice: Revisiting Bogardus’s social distance concept in a time of COVID-19
Date
2024
Authors
Shi, E.
Platow, M.J.
Bar-Tal, D.
Augoustinos, M.
Spears, R.
Van Rooy, D.
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Journal article
Citation
Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 2024; 27(2):239-255
Statement of Responsibility
Ellen Shi, Michael J. Platow, Daniel Bar-Tal, Martha Augoustinos, Russell Spears, and Dirk Van Rooy
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Abstract
This study examined when the realistic threat of COVID-19 leads to prejudicial social distancing. American participants reported social distancing preferences from Chinese or Italian people (outgroup target) after viewing increasing or decreasing COVID-19 case numbers (threat level) in China or Italy (threat relevance). On the Bogardus Social Distance Scale, there was support for a disease avoidance hypothesis: greater social distancing preferences were expressed under higher than under lower relevant threats. Responses on a bespoke COVID-19 Social Distance Scale, however, supported an a priori prejudice hypothesis: greater social distancing preferences were expressed toward a Chinese than toward an Italian out-group. Moreover, responses on a separate bespoke Modern Social Distance Scale supported a complex prejudice hypothesis: greater social distancing preferences were expressed toward Chinese than toward Italian out-groups under higher than under lower threat, regardless of threat relevance. These findings suggest that the threat of COVID-19 may enable prejudice expression accompanied by the rationale of disease avoidance.
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© The Author(s) 2022.