The relationship between religious orientation and anti-black racial prejudice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain insight on the relationship between religious orientation and anti-Black racial prejudice in the Maltese context. Some of the possible contributory factors to this relationship such as gender, age, level of education and residential district are also investigated. A quantitative approach was utilised in order to fulfil the research objectives. Respondents were considered valid if they were aged 18 and over, Caucasian and self-proclaimed Catholics. Data from a sample (n=59) was collected through distribution of a questionnaire. The results from the present study indicated that intrinsic religious orientation seems to be more prevalent in males than in females, and that residential district seems to have a statistical significant effect on extrinsic religious orientation. In conclusion, although the relationship between religious orientation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and anti-Black racial prejudice is similar to previous research, the main findings of this study were not statistically significant. The findings of the present study do not support previous findings regarding sociodemographic difference in anti-Black racial prejudice, suggesting either that diverse socio-demographic groups are equally tolerant or equally prejudiced. Additional research is necessary in order to further explore the nature of these results.