Personality trait of openness linked to lower antisemitic attitude, more Jewish contact study finds
Openness was assessed using 10 items from the Big Five Inventory, while antisemitic attitudes were measured using an 11-item scale developed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Recent research published in Personality and Individual Differences suggests that individuals with high levels of the personality trait "openness" are less likely to hold antisemitic attitudes. The study, conducted by Talia Morstead and Anita DeLongis from the University of British Columbia, explores the relationship between personality traits and antisemitism, while also considering the role of interpersonal contact with Jewish individuals.
Openness, assessed through 10 items from the Big Five Inventory, was found to positively predict Jewish contact and negatively predict antisemitic attitudes. The investigation found that interpersonal contact with Jewish individuals accounted for approximately 25% of the relationship between openness and antisemitic attitudes. However, even after controlling for Jewish contact, a significant direct effect of openness on antisemitic attitudes remained, indicating the existence of additional pathways through which openness may contribute to reduced antisemitic attitudes.
The researchers note that antisemitism, while sharing similarities with other forms of prejudice, possesses a unique adaptability that allows it to evolve in rhetorical form according to prevailing sociocultural contexts. They emphasize that traditional educational interventions and appeals to reason are often ineffective in combating this persistent form of prejudice.
Instead, they highlight the potential value of behavioral approaches, such as promoting interpersonal contact, as viable alternatives or supplements to traditional education.
The study acknowledges methodological limitations, as the cross-sectional nature of the data prevents the examination of causality, including the temporal ordering of events.
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