Exploring the Type and Impact of Memorable Hate Messages and Identity Salience on Self-Esteem, Relational Outcomes, and Intergroup Biases

ABSTRACT

Using a social identity theory framework, the present study offers a typology of memorable hate messages from 170 college-aged students. The memorable hate messages focused on racism, body, gender/sexism, homophobia, religion/anti-religious group, poverty/classism, ability, organizational-affiliation, and politicians/political ideologies. Additionally, the relationships between memorable hate messages, personal characteristics, relational outcomes, identity salience, and intergroup biases are explored. Future research and limitations are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Hate speech
• memorable messages
• social identity
• intergroup bias
• relational outcomes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Sex assigned at birth refers to the designation of male or female on one’s birth certificate. This may be different from a person’s gender identity or expression.