Investigating antecedents of Islamophobia: The role of perceived control over terrorism, threat, meta‐dehumanization , and dehumanization

Meta‐dehumanization contributes to a vicious cycle of hostility. This study extends the literature by investigating antecedents and outcomes of meta‐dehumanization in the context of Muslim–non‐Muslim relations. Specifically, control over terrorism (COT) and threat were tested as predictors of meta‐dehumanization among non‐Muslim British nationals (N = 313). The results revealed that lower perceptions of COT predicted increased threat, which in turn predicted meta‐dehumanization. Meta‐dehumanization, consequently, predicted Islamophobia via increased dehumanization of Muslim people. The results were significant while controlling for political orientation and intergroup contact. This research highlights the unsettling cycle of meta‐dehumanization and intergroup hostility. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.