Researchers examine psychology of anti-Semitism

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Do religious groups react with prejudice toward those they perceive as threats to their sacred values? A recent study by Bowling Green State University psychologists suggests they do.

Researchers tested the idea that Christians who view Jews as desecrators of the Christian faith are more likely to feel prejudice toward Jews. The study, reported in the June issue of the quarterly Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, confirmed the hypothesis.

According to psychology professor Dr. Kenneth Pargament, the article's lead author, research on prejudice typically focuses on the participants' personalities or general religiousness rather than whether they perceive other groups as threats to their values. The BGSU study of 139 undergraduates indicated that to the extent Christians see Jews as a threat, “they're more likely to react with antagonism and prejudice,” Pargament said.

The findings, which will be presented at the American Psychological Association convention Aug. 20 in San Francisco, may help explain many of the world's religious conflicts—and underscore the importance of sensitivity to others' spiritual values, the psychologist notes.

“If you perceive another group as threatening your most sacred values, that can trigger a strong reaction,” Paragment said. That perception also adds ”sacred dimension to conflict,” which “raises the stakes,” making the conflict more difficult to resolve, he says.

The findings have been replicated in subsequent studies of prejudice against gays and lesbians, and against Muslims, according to Pargament. His BGSU collaborators on the project were psychology professor Dr. Annette Mahoney and graduate student Kelly Trevino.

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Media Contact: Scott Borgelt at 419-372-2716 or sborgel@bgsu.edu.

(Posted August 14, 2007 )