Study finds Aussies more likely to target Muslims in shootout

Herald Sun ^ | 16 uly 2008 | Patrick Horan

[Aussie Dasher]

AUSSIES who find themselves under threat are more likely to shoot at Muslims, especially if they're in a good mood, a study claims.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have found that Australians perceive Muslim-style headgear as a threat, even if they don't realise they hold any prejudice.

The study, published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, involved 66 uni students playing a computer game in which different male and female figures appeared on a balcony.

Some figures were wearing Muslim-style turbans or hijabs while others were bareheaded.

Participants were asked to shoot at the targets carrying guns and spare those who were unarmed.

Researchers found that those with Muslim-style headgear were more likely to be shot, even if they were carrying non-threatening items such as a coffee mug, with both male and female students demonstrating a bias.

They also found that while "angry" participants shot at everybody, "happy" people targeted Muslims.

"It’s what we predicted," said Dr Tom Denson, one of the researchers. "People in happy moods tend to rely on stereotyping more. It’s like, I’m feeling good, there’s no need to question things.

"Muslims tend to be portrayed negatively in the media so the findings make sense, even in an otherwise tolerant western society like Australia."

[Aussie Dasher]

I must be always happy...

[John Valentine]

God bless happy Aussies.

[SAJ]

Always have said our good Australian friends were sensible folks.

[Mr. Mojo]

Participants were asked to shoot at the targets carrying guns and spare those who were unarmed. Researchers found that those with Muslim-style headgear were more likely to be shot, even if they were carrying non-threatening items such as a coffee mug

Smart. The participants instinctively realized that the Mohammedans were likely carrying jihadist gear under their sheets..

[Cobra64]

So what's the problem? Better to shoot 'em before one of them knocks on your front door with 10 stick of dynamite strapped to his chest.

"Buy ammo."

[Lloyd227]

Makes perfect sense to me. What’s the controversy?

[rawcatslyentist]

>""Muslims tend to be portrayed negatively in the media.

Gee I wonder why?

[Proud_USA_Republican]

I wonder what would create such responses????

[MarineBrat]

AUSSIES who find themselves under threat are more likely to shoot at Muslims, especially if they're in a good mood, a study claims.

That's got to be one of the funniest first lines I've read all day.

[Daaave]

The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002.

202 civilians were killed and more than 100 wounded. 91 Australians died in the bombings.

Personally, I believe that the Australians have a legitimate right to be prejudiced against muslims.

[Cacique]

btt

[Onelifetogive]

AUSSIES who find themselves under threat are more likely to shoot at Muslims, especially if they're in a good mood...

This must qualify as a classic "chicken or the egg" question. Which comes first, shooting at Muslims, or being in a good mood?

[FreePoster]

"It’s what we predicted," said Dr Tom Denson, one of the researchers. "People in happy moods tend to rely on stereotyping more. It’s like, I’m feeling good, there’s no need to question things.

So when people are angry they feel more a need to question things and shoot at everybody indiscriminately?

[FreePoster]

Yup. Somehow they’re always portrayed negatively in the media. /s

[xuberalles]

lol...are they suppose to be going for the Rabbi holding the zucchini?

[singfreedom]

There’s probably an AK under all those rags.

[rrrod]

“AUSSIES who find themselves under threat are more likely to shoot at Muslims, especially if they’re in a good mood”.........LOL a classic!!!!
Happy Aussie Salute!

[Colorado Cowgirl]

We live in a world of “tag you’re it” and on 9-11. You muzzies thought we were it, no dumb asses after that attack, the whole world now knows you are “ it “ The Aussies, the Brits, the Poles, The Italians, The Israelis’ all know you are “ it “ . After 1400 years rape, murder and conquest, why you have not been “ it “ before, has dumb-founded a lot of us. It will be a long, long time before this game is over.

[saganite]

Aussies in a shootout and in a good mood! That says a lot about the Aussie psyche. Makes me glad they’re on our side!

[FreedomPoster]

>>Muslims tend to be portrayed negatively in the media

Maybe that’s because of all the negative things Muslims do, way out of proportion to their numbers in the world. You don’t often hear about Lutherans sawing heads off or pulling off a suicide bombing