Tolerating the Intolerant: Does Realistic Threat Lead to Increased Tolerance of Right-Wing Extremists?

Abstract: Previous research suggests that threat can bolster anti-immigration attitudes, but less is known about the effects of threat on ideological tolerance. We tested the hypothesis that realistic threats — tangible threats to e.g., the safety or financial well-being of one’s group — bolster support for right-wing extremists. In Experiment 1, participants (N = 200) learned that crime and unemployment rates were either increasing (high threat condition) or remaining the same (low threat condition). Consistent with our hypothesis, higher threat lead to a significant increase in tolerance for right-wing, but not left-wing, extremists. In a second, pre-registered extended replication experiment (N = 385), we added a baseline (no threat) condition. Additionally, attitudes to immigrants were examined as a mediator. This experiment produced non-significant threat effects on tolerance of right-wing extremists. Overall, the current research provides weak support for the hypothesis that realistic .... https://jspp.psychopen.eu/index.php/jspp/article/view/8017

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Tolerating the Intolerant: Does Realistic Threat Lead to Increased Tolerance of Right-Wing Extremists? ; volume:10 ; number:1 ; day:16 ; month:03 ; year:2022 ; Journal of social and political psychology ; 10, Heft 1 (16.03.2022)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Sinclair, Samantha ; Nilsson, Artur ; Agerström, Jens

Further information

• DOI: 10.5964/jspp.8017
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022051405094416617771
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:39 AM CEST