Attitudes toward Muslims: a test of the parasocial contact hypothesis and contact theory

Abstract

The present research relied on intergroup theory to explain attitudes toward Muslim Americans. In particular, the parasocial contact hypothesis was relied on to develop a set of hypotheses about the relationship between news consumption as a vicarious form of intergroup contact and attitudes toward Muslim Americans. A set of competing hypotheses was also offered based on contact theory. Both theories were supported, but attitudes toward Muslim Americans were related in opposite ways. At the same time, actual intergroup contact with Muslims was reported to be low. Level of religiosity, political identity, gender, and ethnicity were also related to attitudes toward Muslim Americans.

Key words:

• Intergroup contact
• media
• news
• parasocial contact hypothesis
• attitudes
• Muslims