Further development of integrated threat theory and intergroup contact: a reply to Aberson (2015)

This essay furthers a dialogue about the theoretical and statistical merits of Croucher's [(2013). Integrated threat theory and acceptance of immigrant assimilation: An analysis of Muslim immigration in Western Europe. Communication Monographs, 80, 46–62] study exploring the relationships between threat from an immigrant group, belief that an immigrant wants to assimilate, and intergroup contact. Key points of divergence include assertions that (a) the relationships in the original piece are counter to previous literature/relationships, (b) the correlations presented are implausible, (c) the magnitude of the relationships is too strong, and (d) the manuscript has “odd” multiple regression coefficients. This rejoinder argues (a) more intergroup contact can lead to more threat, (b) the correlations are real, Aberson's [(2015). Strange results and implausible correlations in Croucher (2013). Communication Monographs] formula is invalid, and subsequent research has produced similar results, (c) the magnitude of the relationships and multiple regression coefficients is real, and (d) it is possible that statistical issues (such as sample characteristics and outliers) heightened the magnitude in this study.