The present research investigated the beliefs and the emotional reactions toward Israelis within the frame of the Image Theory (Alexander, Brewer, e Herrman, 1999) as well as considering previous studies on Anti-Semitism (Harrison, 2006; Pulzer, 2003). Participants (N=213) freely described a series of picture representing the overall category and four distinct subgroups of Israelis (i.e., in-volved in the evacuation of nationals in Gaza; involved in the Lebanon War; helping injured com-patriots; sitting at a café in Jerusalem). Moreover, participants rated each target on perceived con-tempt, admiration, and empathy. Results showed that participants do not have an undifferentiated representation of Israelis, but they have distinct representations according to the contextual informa-tion proposed. Thus, while Israelis sitting at a café in Jerusalem elicited admiration, according to the ally image, Israelis involved in the Lebanon War elicited contempt, according to the enemy image. Moreover, such a target elicited traditional stereotypical beliefs regarding Israel. By contrast, Is-raelis helping injured compatriots are perceived both as allies as dependents and elicited high levels of empathy. Finally, the overall category and Israelis involved in the evacuation of nationals in Gaza are perceived as ambivalent targets. The implications for the social perception of Israelis are discussed.
International Images: Beliefs and Emotions Toward Israelis
RAVENNA, Marcella;
2011
Abstract
The present research investigated the beliefs and the emotional reactions toward Israelis within the frame of the Image Theory (Alexander, Brewer, e Herrman, 1999) as well as considering previous studies on Anti-Semitism (Harrison, 2006; Pulzer, 2003). Participants (N=213) freely described a series of picture representing the overall category and four distinct subgroups of Israelis (i.e., in-volved in the evacuation of nationals in Gaza; involved in the Lebanon War; helping injured com-patriots; sitting at a café in Jerusalem). Moreover, participants rated each target on perceived con-tempt, admiration, and empathy. Results showed that participants do not have an undifferentiated representation of Israelis, but they have distinct representations according to the contextual informa-tion proposed. Thus, while Israelis sitting at a café in Jerusalem elicited admiration, according to the ally image, Israelis involved in the Lebanon War elicited contempt, according to the enemy image. Moreover, such a target elicited traditional stereotypical beliefs regarding Israel. By contrast, Is-raelis helping injured compatriots are perceived both as allies as dependents and elicited high levels of empathy. Finally, the overall category and Israelis involved in the evacuation of nationals in Gaza are perceived as ambivalent targets. The implications for the social perception of Israelis are discussed.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
