Xenophobic attacks are influenced by the discursive opportunity structures, shaped by media discourse and social media content [1,2]. Looking for associations between online hate speech targeting expressions of otherness and xenophobic attacks [2], and any kind of influences between Verbal Aggression (VA) and Physical Aggression (PA), we combine the datasets resulting from the VA and the PA analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Regarding the former, we will conduct statistical analyses, where the dependent variable will be PA and the independent variable will be VA. Driven by the theory, we may increase the number of independent variables, in order to control for possible correlations of other factors, such as GDP per capita, immigration stocks and flows, etc. Supplementary research will be conducted by applying process tracing techniques, so as to qualitatively approach how the relationship between the two faces of xenophobia is configured and whether or not VA is a driver of PA.
References
[1] Koopmans, Ruud, and Susan Olzak. 2004. “Discursive Opportunities and the Evolution of Right‐ Wing Violence in Germany.” American Journal of Sociology 110 (1): 198–230.
[2] Müller, K. and Schwarz, C. (2021). Fanning the flames of hate: social media and hate crime. Journal of the European Economic Association, 19(5): 2131-2167