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Can religious norms reduce violent attitudes? Experimental evidence from a Muslim–Christian conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Anselm Hager

    (9373Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany)

  • Kunaal Sharma

    (Independent scholar, New York, USA)

Abstract

We study whether religious anti-violence norms can reduce violent attitudes in settings of deep religious divisions. Our study context is a neighborhood in Nairobi with a history of religious violence. We randomly expose 576 Christian and Muslim respondents to anti-violence norms drawn from religious sources and find that the primes reduce violent attitudes by 0.2 standard deviations. We find no evidence, however, that highlighting the norms’ religious source increases their effectiveness. Rather, we show that subjects apply the norms in a literal manner, suggesting that it is the norms’ content that make them effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Anselm Hager & Kunaal Sharma, 2023. "Can religious norms reduce violent attitudes? Experimental evidence from a Muslim–Christian conflict," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 40(2), pages 134-161, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:compsc:v:40:y:2023:i:2:p:134-161
    DOI: 10.1177/07388942221077914
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