Host culture acceptance, religiosity, and the threat of Muslim immigration: An integrated threat analysis in Spain

Abstract

Abstract. This study explores the in tricate relationship s between a dominant group’s fear of an immigrant group, religiosity, and the dominant culture’s perception of if an immigrant group is moti vated to culturally adapt. Specifically, Muslim immigration to Spain was analyzed . The study found the follow ing: 1) threat from an immigrant group was negatively correlated with percepti on 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 co ntact with Muslim immigrants led to higher levels of realistic threat and symbolic threat among Spanis h Catholics. Implications for integrated threat and intergroup communication resear ch are discussed.