Political attitudes and social change: The role of intergroup contact and social identity complexity

Kızık, Büşra

Abstract

This thesis explores the impact of intergroup contact on political attitudes via social identity complexity (SIC) across WEIRD and non-WEIRD societies, including post-conflict contexts. This research aims to test whether and how dimensions of intergroup contact (quantity vs. quality contact, mass-mediated contact, positive vs. negative contact) can affect individuals' political attitudes via their SIC. The study utilises data from a total sample of 3900 participants, across five studies, from diverse backgrounds in the UK, Turkey, Iran, and Cyprus. Chapter 4 (Study 1, UK) reveals that the quantity of contact between English and Scottish individuals and European immigrants negatively predicts support for Brexit through more complex SIC and reduced collective narcissism. The study investigates the impact of different SICs on Brexit support. Chapter 5 (Study 2, Turkey and Study 3, Iran) focuses on how direct and indirect contact and SIC affect host society members' collective action (CA) intentions in Turkey and Iran to restrict the numbers of Syrian and Afghan refugees, respectively. Results showed that both direct and indirect contact influence CA intentions via SIC. Chapter 6 (Study 4 and 5, Cyprus) assesses the impact of contact and SIC on support for the peace process, finding that intergroup contact significantly predict support for peace via SIC and distinctiveness threat. Overall, this thesis concludes that intergroup contact can influence individuals' political attitudes via their SIC. All studies affirmed that intergroup contact was the precursor to SIC and showed the influence of contact dimensions (direct contact: quantity and quality of contact, positive and negative contact; indirect contact: massmediated contact) on SIC. Furthermore, in contrast to prior research, the findings also indicate that effects of contact on intergroup relations are not always positive and SIC can have an adverse impact on intergroup relationships depending on the context and identities in questions.

Citation

Kızık, B. (2024). Political attitudes and social change: The role of intergroup contact and social identity complexity. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/775323

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2024
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/775323
• Additional Information: Embargo on access until 1 February 2026 - The thesis is due for publication, or the author is actively seeking to publish this material.
• Award Date: 2024-03