Shi, E.Platow, M.J.Bar-Tal, D.Augoustinos, M.Spears, R.Van Rooy, D.2025-10-272025-10-272024Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 2024; 27(2):239-2551368-43021461-7188https://hdl.handle.net/2440/147977This 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.en© The Author(s) 2022.prejudice; realistic threat; social distanceJournal article10.1177/13684302221133715628950Augoustinos, M. [0000-0002-7212-1499]