Discriminatory Attitudes and Behavioral Patterns in Xenophobic Context: Socio-Psychological Factors and Justification Mechanisms
https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2026-28-2-252-264
EDN: DQYVXA
Abstract
Rising multiculturalism and social mobility contribute to the escalation of xenophobic sentiments and discriminatory behavior. This article examines the impact of socio-demographic, psychological, and ideological factors on various behavioral patterns of xenophobia, including the way they are justified. The research was based on an anonymous online survey utilizing adapted diagnostic tools for authoritarianism, social dominance, economic fears, life satisfaction, identity, and ethnic contact. The study involved 400 Russian citizens aged 25 to 45 (M = 34.7; SD = 5.7; 42% male, 58% female). Economic fears, authoritarianism, and low life satisfaction emerged as the key predictors of discriminatory behavior. The role of identity was differentiated as follows: ethnic (Russian) identity strengthened xenophobic attitudes while civic (Russian) identity reduced them. Positive ethnic contact appeared to be the most powerful protective factor, confirming Gordon Allport’s contact hypothesis. Regression models explained between 77.9 and 96.6% of the variance in behavioral patterns. Addressing xenophobia requires a comprehensive approach, including measures to reduce economic anxiety, foster civic identity, and stimulate positive intercommunity interaction.
Keywords
xenophobia,
discriminatory behavior,
authoritarianism,
social dominance,
economic fears,
intercommunity contacts,
ethnic identity,
Russian society
Supporting agencies: The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 24-28-00529: Sociopsychological mechanisms and factors of support for discriminatory attitudes: Intergenerational analysis, https://rscf.ru/en/project/24-28-00529/
About the Author
Nikita V. Volynchik
Saratov State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Saratov
Competing Interests:
The author declared no potential conflict of interests regarding the research, authorship, and / or publication of this article.
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For citations:
Volynchik N.V. Discriminatory Attitudes and Behavioral Patterns in Xenophobic Context: Socio-Psychological Factors and Justification Mechanisms. SibScript. 2026;28(2):252-264. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2026-28-2-252-264. EDN: DQYVXA
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