Interreligious contact, attitudes, and stereotypes: A study of five religious groups in Canada.

Abstract

The rich religious diversity in Canada provides a particularly relevant context for the study of interreligious relations. This study analyses the stereotypes of 5 religious groups (Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs) among a sample of undergraduate students (N ϭ 152) in Canada. It also examines the relationship between intergroup contact, knowledge, and attitudes toward these religious groups. Open-ended response methodology was used to elicit participants' perceptions of the characteristics of target religious groups as well as the emotions they felt toward these groups. Participants also completed attitude thermometers, Attitude Toward Religious Group (ATRG) Scales, and items assessing knowledge about target groups as well as the extent of contact with the groups. Results suggest that, overall, more positive than negative characteristics were ascribed to the groups. Similarly, more positive or neutral emotions than negative emotions were expressed toward the groups. Consistent with our first hypothesis, knowledge and contact score positively predicted ATRG scores. Our second hypothesis that Muslims would be evaluated least favourably among the 5 groups was also supported. Our results indicate that the contact hypothesis can be extended to religious groups as contact and information about the target groups predicted positive attitudes toward them.

To believe or not to believe: Stereotypes about agnostics.

“…In line with previous work, I believed the common stereotypes associated with Christians would be: religious, good, honest, caring, friendly, loving, judgmental, and ignorant (Zafar & Ross, 2015). Also in line with previous work, I believed the common stereotypes associated with Muslims would be: religious, pray, untrustworthy, violent, terrorist, strict, bad, and good (Sides & Gross, 2013;Zafar & Ross, 2015).…”

Friends, Neighbours, Townspeople and Parties: Explaining Canadian Attitudes toward Muslims

“…Guimond and colleagues (2013) similarly find lower levels of anti-Muslim prejudice in Canada compared to Britain, Germany and the US. At the same time, other research (based on a student sample) has found that Muslims are rated more negatively than other religious groups in Canada (Zafar and Ross, 2015).…”

“…Such issues are not, however, unique to Canada; rather, they are a salient political issue in many Western democracies (Savelkoul et al, 2012; Wike and Grim, 2010). Research focusing on the Canadian case, however, is limited (but see Harell et al, 2012; O'Neill et al, 2015; Roach, 2009; Wright et al, 2017; Zafar and Ross, 2015). Further, I take the position that research exploring the dynamics of majority–Muslim relations in Canada—written for a Canadian audience, as well as those interested in Canada—is an important endeavour (Noël, 2014).…”

Facilitative Factors and Impediments to Newcomer Youth’s Initial Integration Milestones: The Arab Newcomer Youth Experience

“…Arab youth have reported enhanced acculturative stress levels, challenges in developing their identity, and difficulty establishing peer relationships (Britto & Amer, 2007;Daniel,2013;Shryock & Howell, 2003;Wannas-Jones, 2003;Wrobel, Farrag, & Hymes, 2009). Arab youth shared that one factor to elevated acculturative stress was the negative media portrayals of Arabs and Islam (Awad, 2010;Zafar & Ross, 2015).In the correspondence with Naeem on social justice and full potential achievement, he shares that he fears that the media image would be an adopted response to his attempts to advance professionally and integrate more successfully herein Canada. While he feels that he is generally welcomed here, he senses that some community members may have preconceived images of him because of his background.…”