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Atheism in the United States: Investigating How Atheists Make Meaning of Stereotypes and Discrimination.

Simonson, K.R. Atheism in the United States: Investigating How Atheists Make Meaning of Stereotypes and Discrimination. 2011. Radford University, Dissertation. Radford University Scholars' Repository.

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Abstract

Social injustice and unequal treatment based on group membership are prevalent in United States culture. As a result, many minority groups are marginalized and discriminated. Minority groups experience both individual and systemic discrimination, which has direct physical and psychological costs for the individual and the group (Sue & Sue, 2008). Atheists have been argued to comprise a minority group (Jenks, 1987). Existing literature suggests that Atheists are the least trusted group in the United States (Edgell et al., 2006; Jenks, 1987). Further, anecdotal reports, qualitative studies, and quantitative studies suggest that anti-Atheist discrimination does occur (Downey, 2004; Heiner, 1992; Hunsberger & Altemeyer, 2006, Hwang, 2008; Nash, 2003; Nussbaum, 1999; Peters, 2009; Pollit, 2005; Reisberg, 1998; Saeed & Grant, 2004; Smith-Stoner, 2007; Volokh, 2006). Using grounded theory methodology, this study attempted to understand how individuals who are Atheist make sense of stereotypes and discrimination.

Item Type: Dissertation
Uncontrolled Keywords: Atheism, Stereotyping, Discrimination, Religious discrimination
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Radford University > College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences > Department of Psychology
Date Deposited: 31 Jan 2013 14:48
Last Modified: 19 Apr 2023 17:12
URI: http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/90

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