Anti-semitism in the interpersonal context / Rion B. Kweller.

This study attempted to investigate whether non-Jews behave differently to Jews than to fellow non-Jews. This question was investigated by observing nonverbal behaviors. The perceived religion of the job applicant and the level of frustration experienced by the subject were manipulated. The perceived religion of the applicant did not have a behavioral effect on subjects, nor did the interaction of the perceived religion condition with the frustration condition. Frustration did affect the level of immediacy; frustrated subjects acted less immediately than did non-frustrated subjects. Perceived religion of the applicant, when the applicant was perceived as Jewish, related to the social distance feelings of non-Jews. After interacting with Jews, these subjects were more willing to have subsequent social contact with them. Following Bem, then, a two stage theory of anti-Semitism was suggested. Tier one anti-Semitism may hold for many non-Jews who have had little exposure to Jews. Tier two anti-Semitism describes the kind of anti-Semitism seen in individuals with frequent exposure to Jewish individuals. Implications for future research were also discussed.