Psychological responses to jihadist terrorism

Exploring a small but significant opinion shift towards minority inclusion among French citizens in response to the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7971899
AutoresAdrian Lüders (0000-0002-8899-7284, University of Hohenheim, autor de correspondencia), Adrian Lueders (Department of Communication Science University of Hohenheim Stuttgart Germany), Robin Wollast (0000-0001-5395-9969, Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive Université Clermont Auvergne Clermont Ferrand France), Armelle Nugier (0000-0002-5283-8863, Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive Université Clermont Auvergne Clermont Ferrand France), Serge Guimond (0000-0003-0267-7659, Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive Université Clermont Auvergne Clermont Ferrand France)
Año2024
Volumen45
Número1
Páginas113-131
Fecha de publicación2024-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPolitical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0162-895X • E-ISSN: 1467-9221
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/pops.12916
OpenAlexW4386165086
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas57

Experiences with jihadist terrorism sparked debates about the boundaries of religious expression within secular societies. Standpoints majority members hold in such discussions may be inclusive or exclusive towards religious minorities and inform wider intergroup perceptions. The present research explores these relationships in the context of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris, France. Using longitudinal data from a diverse French sample ( N = 558) collected before and after the attacks, we test whether within‐person changes in exclusionary and inclusionary interpretations of the French Laïcité principle can account for changes in public perceptions of context‐relevant minorities. Meta‐analytical findings suggest a small significant conservative shift after experiences with terrorism. Previous research conducted in the context of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks departed from this pattern, however, without identifying underlying psychological mechanisms. Accordingly, the present data suggests a small but significant opinion shift in favor of context‐relevant minorities. This shifting was partially explained through an increased endorsement of an inclusionary interpretation of the Laïcité principle that stresses the freedom of religious expression. We offer a contextualized interpretation of our data, suggesting that the collective coping dynamics that followed the events (i.e., republican marches, #JeSuisCharlie) have been critical for the observed effects

Criminology · Perception · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Sociology · Terrorism · History · Law · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence