Integrated threat theory and intercultural attitudes - Mexico and the United States

In this study, the integrated threat theory of prejudice was employed to ex amine Americans' and Mexicans' attitudes toward one another. According to t he theory. four types of threat (realistic, symbolic. intergroup anxiety, a nd negative stereotypes) cause prejudice. These threats are thought to be c aused in part by the amount and quality of intergroup contact. The results of two path analyses indicated that all four threats were significant predi ctors of attitudes in one sample or the other. Both the amount and quality of contact affected some types of threats. In particular. the quality of in tergroup contact (voluntary, positive, individualized, and equal status) ap pear; to play an important role in both intergroup anxiety and attitudes to ward the other group.