Host Culture Acceptance, Religiosity, and the Threat of Muslim Immigration An Integrated Threat Analysis in Spain

Stephen M. Croucher; Flora Galy-Badenas; Maria Ruotsalainen

doi:10.36923/jicc.v14i2.675

Open Access Article Intercultural Communication

Stephen M. Croucher ⁽¹⁾ , Flora Galy-Badenas ⁽²⁾ , Maria Ruotsalainen ⁽³⁾

1. University of Jyväskylä

2. University of Jyväskylä

3. University of Jyväskylä

https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v14i2.675

Issue
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2014)

Submitted
2011 July 10

Published
2014 July 30

Keywords:

Integrated threat theory, Cultural adaptation, Contact hypothesis, Immigration, Islam, Spain

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Abstract

This study explores the intricate relationships between a dominant group’s fear of an immigrant group, religiosity, and the dominant culture’s perception of if an immigrant group is motivated to culturally adapt. Specifically, Muslim immigration to Spain was analyzed. The study found the following: 1) threat from an immigrant group was negatively correlated with perception of immigrant motivation to adapt, 2) highly religious members of the dominant culture were less likely to believe Muslim immigrants are motivated to culturally adapt, and 3) increased contact with Muslim immigrants led to higher levels of realistic threat and symbolic threat among Spanish Catholics. Implications for integrated threat and intergroup communication research are discussed.

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Authors

Stephen M. Croucher

stephen.m.croucher@jyu.fi (Primary Contact)

Flora Galy-Badenas

Maria Ruotsalainen

Author Biographies

Stephen M. Croucher

Stephen M Croucher (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2006) is a Professor of Intercultural Communication at the University of Jyväskylä. He researches immigrant cultural adaptation, identity formation/negotiation within Europe, and conflict management/conceptualization.

Flora Galy-Badenas

Flora Galy Badenas is a Master's Student in the Intercultural Master's Program in the Department of Communication at the University of Jyväskylä. Her research focuses on issues of sexual/gender identity in the workplace.

Maria Ruotsalainen

Maria Ruotsalainen is a Master's Student in the Digital Culture Master's Program at the University of Jyväskylä. Her research focuses on Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games.

Croucher, S. M., Galy-Badenas, F., & Ruotsalainen, M. (2014). Host Culture Acceptance, Religiosity, and the Threat of Muslim Immigration An Integrated Threat Analysis in Spain. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 14(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v14i2.675

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