International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue III, March 2021|ISSN 2454-6186 www.rsisinternational.org Page 188 Effect of political extremism on the link between the feeling of threat to group‟s image and intergroup hostility: The case of the expressions Tontinards and Sardinards in the Cameroonian context Gustave Adolphe MESSANGA, Sabine Flore NGASSOM PENTCHEU, & Sonia NPIANE NGONGUEU Department of Philosophy-Psychology-Sociology, University of Dschang, Cameroon Abstract : This study analyzes the effect of political extremism on the link between the feeling of threat to group’s image and intergroup hostility. It tests the hypothesis that political extremism has a moderating effect on the link between the feeling of threat to group’s image and intergroup hostility. Research methodology consisted on the administration of the scales of political extremism (Dono et al.,2018), threat to group’s image, and intergroup hostility (Schaafsma & Kipling, 2012) to 397 participants, including 221 Bamiléké and 176 Béti whose age varies between 17 and 59 years (M = 28.05; S.D. = 8.32). The results of the statistical analyzes provide empirical support for the hypothesis of the study. We conclude that this study contributes to the literature on the explanatory factors of intergroup hostility by revealing that the link between that construct and threat to group’s image is moderated by political extremism. Keywords: Political extremism; feeling of threat to group’s image; intergroup hostility; Tontinards; Sardinards. I. INTRODUCTION ntergroup threat theory proposes that members of a group feel threat when they adhere to the idea that another group is capable of causing them harm (Stephan & Stephan, 2000). It distinguishes four forms of threat that can be used to predict prejudice against outgroups: realistic and symbolic threats, intergroup anxiety and negative stereotypes. The concept of realistic threat derives from the Realistic Conflict Theory which proposes that competition between groups for the access to limited resources can be at the origin of prejudices against other groups (Stephan & Renfro, 2002). In this logic, the realistic threat arises from the feeling that outgroups are in the position to attack ingroup‟s life, material resources or power. The symbolic threat, on the other hand, is felt when outgroup dishonors, dehumanizes and devalues ingroup (Cameron et al., 2005). It arises because ingroup believes in the moral correctness of its own belief system (Stephan & Stephan, 2000) and fears that the new norms and beliefs defended by the outgroup will jeopardize its way of life. Intergroup anxiety involves psychological states such as embarrassment, rejection, discrimination or negative evaluation of outgroup‟s members (Stephan & Stephan, 1985). Stereotypes are a collection of characteristics, including traits, attitudes, behaviors, and goals that are associated with members of a social category (Campbell & Mohr, 2011). Those with a negative valence may be at the root of stigma and negative attitudes towards targeted outgroups (Hamilton et al., 1990). Indeed, the mere knowledge of demeaning stereotypes about oneself or about the group could make the people who are its victims feel a threat to group‟simage (Major & O‟Brien, 2005). The threat to group’s image According to Blumer (1958), the feeling of threat to group‟s image is the worry that members of a dominant group have over a dominated outgroup. The literature reveals that prejudices, stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes are its consequences (Dambrun & Guimond, 2001). Prejudice consists of a negative attitude or predisposition to adopt a negative behavior towards a group or towards the members of that group, which is based on an erroneous and rigid generalization (Bourhis et al., 1999). They can generate a feeling of threat among members of targeted groups. According to the specialized literature, this feeling is mediated by three factors, including identification with a group (Morrison & Ybarra, 2008); group attachment and glorification (Roccas et al., 2006). The first factor reinforces ethnic prejudices (Morrison et al., 2010), political conservatism and political envy (Major et al., 2018). The second emphasizes responses to a threat related to group‟s image. The third can push individuals to adopt extreme behaviors in the face of the danger represented by an outgroup (Steele et al., 2015). Theseantecedents can be the sources of various forms of threat leading to certain responses, including intergroup hostility. Threat to group’s image and intergroup hostility The needs for affiliation, assessment and appreciation are felt by each individual ; hence they can be considered normal (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). However, these needs can be marred by value judgments that can generate a feeling of rejection (Marques & Paez, 1994). As soon as these side effects take hold and tarnish a group‟s image, its members display negative behaviors to enhance it (Nugier et al., 2003). I