What is the strong predictor of intergroup attitudes as highlighted in the content?

Ideological self-placement serves as a strong predictor of intergroup attitudes because it encompasses an individual's broader beliefs, values, and worldviews that inform their perceptions and interactions with different social groups. This ideological stance can shape how individuals view issues of diversity, equality, and social justice, ultimately influencing their attitudes toward people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

For instance, those who identify with more progressive ideologies may tend to have more inclusive and positive attitudes toward diverse groups, whereas individuals with conservative ideologies may hold more exclusionary or negative attitudes. This ideological framework allows individuals to categorize and respond to intergroup relations based on overarching beliefs rather than specific experiences, making it a significant factor in predicting attitudes across different social contexts.

While socioeconomic status, education level, and religious beliefs can also impact intergroup attitudes, they do so in ways that may be more nuanced or dependent on individual circumstances. Ideological self-placement directly informs a person's stance on these social dynamics, making it a more pronounced predictor in research on intergroup relations.