Climate change threats increase modern racism as a function of social dominance orientation and ingroup identification

Processing information on the negative consequences of climate change can have unrelated side-effects such as increased outgroup derogation. Previous research suggests differing theoretical explanations for these “generalization” effects buffering existential anxiety. Across two pre-registered experiments ( N = 1031; USA & UK), we examine whether ingroup identification and social dominance orientation (SDO) moderate relationship between experimentally induced collective threats subjective threat perceptions (i.e., intergroup threat), modern racism, pro-environmental action support. In Study 1, SDO were measured 2 years prior to our experiment antecedents perceptions. Our results suggest that informing individuals about (e.g., wildfires, floods, resource scarcity, health etc.), leads higher racism. These generalization effects, in turn, are moderated by but not identification. 2, successfully replicate findings, measuring directly after manipulation. Moreover, use a behavioral measure assess more direct stimuli-responses. again, show moderates effects. contrast, showed only marginally significant moderation effect did increase itself response experimental threat-cues. Notably, also find threat-cues generalize onto No support found. • Experimental invoke ) Ingroup perceptions, SDO. predicts decreased lower ceteris paribus.