How Do Intergroup Contact and Cultural Racism Shape Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Europe?

Recently, quantitative cross-national research has begun tracing the contours of cultural racism using items on people’s belief in cultural superiority. This article bridges research on cultural racism with studies on intergroup contact—a widely-researched antidote to xenophobia—to examine how both interact to influence anti-Muslim attitudes in Europe. Using independent data sources (European Social Survey and Pew data), two studies test the hypothesis that cultural racism hinders the xenophobia-alleviating effect of contact. Results show that for the most widespread forms of anti-Muslim sentiment, rejection of Islam and of Muslim family members, cultural racism and contact work independently of one other. However, for the rejection of potential Muslim immigrants, the contact effect is often significantly diminished for those who hold culturally racist views. On the other hand, interactive effects show that the culturally racist group may benefit more from contact when it comes to accepting Muslim neighbors.