PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Anti-human prejudices and stereotypes are widespread among the population according to long-term studies on group-based enmity (GMF). These prejudices initially appear to be of little criminological relevance because they are anti-democratic, but are not classified as extremist, unless they affect the law. The empirical studies on GMF show, however, that misanthropic prejudices are an essential element of right-wing populist, right-wing extremist and new-right convictions, which in turn are significantly associated with violent orientations. The article reports on empirical dimensions of beliefs and analyses the hinge function of prejudices on anti-democratic attitudes and the radicalization of attitudes in the middle of society. The empirical analyses show the importance of prejudices, value attitudes and a simple national identity category for the radicalization of individuals.