Suchergebnisse

Identity research has flourished in recent years based on the theoretical foundation proposed by Erikson. Identity development is generally conceptualized as a process occurring through an interplay between the individual and her or his social context. Consequently, one of the challenges facing identity research is to become more culturally sensitive—that is, to examine whether models and theories of identity work as expected in various cultural contexts. Luyckx et al.'s (2008) identity model proposes five identity exploration and commitment processes, and a survey instrument was developed to assess these processes. The current study tests this Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) in an indigenous population of emerging adults from Ladakh. Results confirm the central dimensions of identity exploration and commitment. However, the original DIDS structure was not identically replicated in this population, suggesting that identity models should be developed or adapted to the specific sociocultural context.

Increased immigration and demographic changes have not only resulted in political pushback, but also in violent attacks against immigrants. Several recent terrorist attacks committed by White supremacists invoke rhetoric around a deliberate attempt to make Whites extinct and replace them with non-Western immigrants. Yet, while it is widely acknowledged among extremism researchers that this perception of orchestrated extinction or replacement has tremendous potential to lead to violent extremism, its consequences have not yet been directly examined. Using the Scandinavian context (e.g., Denmark and Norway), in two correlational studies and one experiment, we provide evidence that this perception is associated with the persecution of Muslims, violent intentions, and Islamophobia. Further, we demonstrate that these associations are mediated by symbolic threats. Conspiracy beliefs that one's group is being replaced seem to drive hostile intergroup attitudes. We discuss the societal implications of this finding (i.e., generating fear, polarization, and hostile public opinion towards immigrants).