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UV Radiation Explains National Differences in Outgroup Discrimination
Federico R. León
Published: 2024/12/01
Abstract
Findings from social psychology can trigger discoveries capable of contributing to our knowledge about differences between societies. A recent study of weather’s effects on outgroup discrimination in Germany concluded that heat caused discrimination of Muslims through increased bystanders’ subjective cost of helping, but strengthened pro-sociality toward the in-group. However, the outcome could have owed to hostility toward outgroups and UV radiation. The present study across 93 countries contradicted by proxy the temperature hypothesis as it demonstrated null effects of climatic heat on nepotism, social exclusion of minorities, and legal discrimination of outgroups. UV radiation was found positively and directly related to legal discrimination and positively to social exclusion through aggression, which is theoretically explained by the mediation of vitamin D, testosterone, and neurotransmitters. Steady rain, by augmenting per capita income, reduced nepotism. Cognitive performance, gender inequality, and national wealth also behaved as mediators, whereas infectious diseases failed to explain collectivism. The research adds to the increased evidence of UV radiation’s impacts on the behaviour of entire societies. Keywords: Intergroup discrimination, UV radiation, Aggression, Temperature, Steady rain
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