Social judgment or social context: a comparative and comprehensive analysis of attitudes toward Muslims in France

Abstract

The perception of religious groups, especially Muslims, is a significant societal issue in France, where Muslims face significant stigmatization and discrimination. This study explores how stereotypes of Muslims, compared with other religious groups, are shaped using the Stereotype Content Model. Data were collected via an online survey from two samples: students ( N = 161) and the general population ( N = 282). Results revealed that, for students, there were no significant differences in social judgment of Muslims versus other groups. However, in the general population, Muslims were perceived as less warm and competent, eliciting more negative emotions. A subsequent meta-analysis combining the two datasets and drawing on the Social Structure Hypothesis identified predictors of attitudes toward Muslims, including warmth, admiration, disgust, symbolic threat, intergroup contact, and social status. The findings indicate that negative stereotypes are not inherent but influenced by sample characteristics and psychosocial variables, emphasizing the importance of context in shaping social judgments.