Gender and Group Entitativity: A study of Prejudice and Aggression among University students of Delhi towards Afghan Immigrants

Authors: Akanksha Dochania

Pages: 7-11

Abstract:

Afghanistan is gauged and considered as one of the most dangerous countries, listing at number five (Rogers, 2015). Howbeit, India and Afghanistan have since centuries shared a convivial and companionable relationship on political front, thereby fostering and enkindling the coming of Afghan immigrants to India. As a result, capital Delhi has become a magnet for immigrants from Afghanistan, to receive education, procure medical treatment, as asylum seekers, as tourists or for business purpose. Yet, this migration of Afghans is not always welcomed, or given a positive response. This study sought to investigate whether Intergroup threat theory (ITT) of prejudice (Stephan& Stephan, 1996) explains prejudice, effect of gender differences and displaced aggression towards Afghan immigrants. The sample consisted of N=82 university students of Delhi. A questionnaire was issued to the participants in order to establish how they feel (perception) or how they have felt, or how they would feel when interacting with Afghan immigrants. Various scales were used to ascertain this information. Linear regression, descriptive statistics and independent T test were conducted. Findings indicated that in terms of gender; realistic threat, intergroup anxiety, negative stereotypes was exhibited towards Afghan males, in comparison to Afghan females; and entitativity and out group homogeneity effect was also recorded towards Afghan immigrants in general.