Date of Award
Fall 12-6-2023
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Political Science and International Affairs
Department Chair or Program Director
Cooperman, Rosalyn
First Advisor
McDonald, Jared
Second Advisor
Cooperman, Rosalyn
Major or Concentration
Political Science
Abstract
How do sexist attitudes predict one’s likelihood of endorsing political violence? While past research identifies a link between hostile sexism and political violence, benevolent sexism has been overlooked. This article explores social dominance orientation (SDO) as a motivator to explain why individuals who hold attitudes of hostile or benevolent sexism are more likely to endorse political violence. Using survey data collected by the American National Election Studies, this article established a positive relationship between both hostile and benevolent sexism and an individual’s willingness to endorse state violence. Results also show a weak mediated relationship between SDO, hostile sexism, and endorsement of state violence. These findings suggest that sexist attitudes do play a role in political violence, but many factors in addition to SDO seem to impact this relationship. Further examination into the factors connecting sexism and political violence should be explored in future research.
Recommended Citation
Atkinson, Cassandra, "What Makes a Radical?: An exploration of sexism, social dominance orientation, and political violence." (2023). Student Research Submissions. 554.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/554