Psychology

Attitudes Toward Arab Ascendance: Israeli and Global Perspectives

Felicia Pratto, University of Connecticut
Tamar Saguy, Herzaliya University
Andrew L. Stewart, University of Connecticut
Davide Morselli, Université de Lausanne (UNIL)
Rob Foels, University of Connecticut
Antonio Aiello, Università di Pisa
María Aranda, Universidad de Jaén
Atilla Cidam, University of Connecticut
Xenia Chryssochoou, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences
Kevin Durrheim, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Veronique Eicher, Université de Lausanne (UNIL)
Laurent Licata, Université Libre de Bruxelles
James H. Liu, Victoria University of Wellington
Li Liu, Beijing Normal University
Ines Meyer, University of Cape Town
Orla Muldoon, University of Limerick
Stamos Papastamou, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences
Nebojsa Petrovic, University of Belgrade
Francesca Prati, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
Gerasimos Prodomitis, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences
Joseph Sweetman, Cardiff University

Abstract

Arab nations are decades behind many other previously colonized nations in developing stronger economies, more democratic institutions, and more autonomy and self-government, in part as a result of external interference. The year 2011 brought the potential for greater Arab autonomy through popular uprisings against autocratic governments in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen, and through the Palestinian request for state recognition by the United Nations. We examined the psychology of support for Arab ascendancy among adults in 14 nations in the Balkans, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. We predicted and found that people low on social dominance orientation endorsed forming an independent Palestinian state and desired that the Arab uprisings succeed. Rejection of ideologies that legitimize outside interference with Arabs mediated this support. Measures and model results were robust across world regions. We discuss theoretical implications regarding the advent of new ideologies and extending social dominance theory to address international relations. © The Author(s) 2013.