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Intergroup threat and intergroup rapprochement in Mostar

Revised Integrated Threat Theory (Stephan and Renfro, 2002) differs realistic and symbolic threat to the individual and to the group. The realistic group threat poses a threat to economic and political power of their own group or its physical well-being. The symbolic group threat represents a threat to the way the groups define themselves and mark their identity. One possible behavioral outcome of perceptions of real and symbolic threats is avoiding or withdrawing from outside groups related with the absence of intergroup contact and reducing the chances of adequate intergroup rapprochement. The aim of this study was to look into potential differences between young Bosniaks and Croats from Mostar in some aspects of intergroup relations and to explore the role of the Revised Integrated Threat Theory in predicting intergroup rapprochement. The study was done with 313 Bosniak and Croat students from two Mostar gymnasiums (146 Bosniaks and 167 Croats). The questionnaire contained measures of intergroup threat (α=0, 75 for realistic threat, α=0, 71 for symbolic threat), intergroup rapprochement (α=0, 88), intergroup contact and demographic questions. The results showed that young Bosniaks and Croats differ in intergroup relations, where Bosniaks perceive higher realistic and symbolic threat, report higher intergroup contact, but lower level of intergroup rapprochement than Croats. The results of regression analysis showed that Revised Integrated Threat Theory had low efficacy in predicting intergroup rapprochement. Symbolic threat was significant predictor of intergroup rapprochement, but realistic threat was not.

intergroup rapprochement, realistic threat, symbolic threat, Revised integrated threat theory

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