Generalized Prejudice Among Youth in Croatia: Structure, Determinants, and Behavioral Expressions in the School Context

• Acronym: GP-School
• Coordinator: Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
• Financed by: Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ)
• Duration: 1 December 2026 – 30 November 2029

This project examines generalized prejudice among Croatian youth in late adolescence - a crucial developmental period during which orientations toward social issues consolidate. Generalized prejudice is a dispositional tendency to express prejudice toward a wide range of social groups, in contrast to specific prejudice directed at a particular group. The shared variance across specific prejudices indicates the presence of an underlying dimension of generalized prejudice. Guided by the worldview conflict hypothesis, the project conceptualizes prejudice as a generalized orientation rooted in perceived inconsistencies between worldviews. The project adopts a broad conceptualization encompassing different dimensions of generalized prejudice, e.g., prejudice against marginalized, unconventional, and privileged groups. It pursues three specific objectives: (O1) to identify the structure of youth generalized prejudice in Croatia; (O2) to examine associations between dispositional characteristics and different dimensions of generalized prejudice; and (O3) to explore how generalized prejudice is enacted and addressed in school settings. The project employs a sequential mixed-method design (QUAN1 › QUAN2 › QUAL): O1/O2 will be addressed using variable- and person-centered quantitative approaches, while O3 will be explored through qualitative and quantitative methods. It advances knowledge by: 1) in-depth examination of how generalized prejudice is enacted and addressed in schools, 2) exploration of dispositional determinants of broadly conceptualized generalized prejudice, 3) applying underutilized qualitative and person-centered methods, and 4) extending prior findings to a non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) context. Such a comprehensive approach to the study of generalized prejudice structure, determinants, and manifestations provides a strong basis for advancing fundamental understanding of youth proneness to prejudice. It can inform policy initiatives at different levels and support the design of more effective school-based programs and practices targeting both generalized and specific prejudices.