Abstract
This study aimed to investigate whether national identity determines Muslim images and perceived threat presented by Muslim, and, if so, which particular aspects of the national identity relate with them. Although previous researches have consistently shown that tolerant attitudes towards Muslim are determined by Muslim images and perceived threat, factors determining the Muslim images and perceived threat have not been fully explored. Thus, this study constructed and, by a structural equation modelling, tested the hypothetical model in which: (1) Muslim images and perceived threat determine tolerant attitudes towards Muslim; and (2) Muslim images perceived threat are determined, in turn, by national identity. Result of factor analysis showed national identity consisted of 5 factors–patriotism, nationalism, commitment to national heritage, multiculturalism and affirmative attitudes toward support for foreign countries. In addition, results of a structural equation modelling indicated: (1) Muslim images and perceived threat showed strong relations with subconstructs of the national identity; in particular, except for the relations between perceived threat and patriotism as well as commitment to national heritage, significant relations were observed between all variables; (2) tolerant attitudes towards Muslim were not only determined by Muslim images and perceived threat as in previous studies, but also by a subconstruct of national identity–multiculturalism.
