Tolerance as a function of disapproval and respect: The case of Muslims

Abstract

The article assesses a disapproval-respect model of tolerance according to which tolerance is made possible when disapproval of others' beliefs, preferences, or practices is balanced by respect for them as equal fellow citizens. Employing a sample of Muslims living in Germany, we predicted and found that such respect was more predictive of outgroup toleration when respondents disapproved rather than approved of the outgroups' beliefs, preferences, or practices. Moreover, respondents who displayed the critical combination of extreme disapproval and full respect indeed showed outgroup toleration. A parallel pattern of results was observed for willingness to engage in intergroup cooperation. Practical implications are discussed.

Politicization as an antecedent of polarization: Evidence from two different political and national contexts

“…However, these processes, and politicization for that matter, need to be restrained by mutual recognition as different equals. It is encouraging that recent research on tolerance suggests that such recognition is indeed possible and able to play a pacifying role (Simon & Schaefer, , ).…”

Muslims’ tolerance towards outgroups: Longitudinal evidence for the role of respect

“…The research reported in this article employed a longitudinal design to test two hypotheses concerning Muslims’ respect for and tolerance towards disapproved outgroups. In support of the outgroup respect–tolerance hypothesis derived from the disapproval–respect model of social tolerance (Simon, in press; Simon & Schaefer, ), our results strongly suggest that respect for disapproved outgroups is not just a correlate of tolerance towards those groups, but a causal antecedent. In support of the intergroup respect–reciprocity hypothesis, we identified respect from disapproved outgroups as an effective source of respect for disapproved outgroups and therefore ultimately as a (more distal) source of tolerance towards those groups.…”

“…In line with the disapproval–respect model of social tolerance, we focused on Muslims’ tolerance towards disapproved outgroups and selected atheists, homosexuals, and feminists as target groups. Although Muslim respondents in Simon and Schaefer's () research had clearly expressed disapproval for each of these groups, the mean disapproval rating for feminists in our panel sample was only directionally, but not significantly below the neutral scale mid‐point ( p = .205; for atheists and homosexuals, p s < .001). While feminists may thus be a boundary case, it should be recalled that the hypothesized effect of Time 1 respect for a group on Time 2 tolerance towards that group was obtained for each of the three target groups (outgroup respect–tolerance hypothesis).…”

“…Recently, Simon and Schaefer () have presented a disapproval–respect model of social tolerance and subjected it to a first empirical test. The model includes two major components (Simon, in press).…”

“…In short, respect balances disapproval so that tolerance is possible. Employing a large sample of Muslims living in Germany, Simon and Schaefer () indeed demonstrated that Muslims’ respect for outgroup members was highly predictive of outgroup tolerance when respondents disapproved of the outgroups’ beliefs, preferences, or practices (even significantly more predictive than when they approved of the outgroup's beliefs, preferences, or practices).…”