Emotional Barriers to Peace: Emotions and Public Opinion of Jewish Israelis About the Peace Process in the Middle East

It is well-established today that the psychological barrier is one of the most prominent factors operating against efforts to promote peace. However, most studies along these lines have concentrated on the cognitive barriers and neglected the emotional ones. Hence, the main goal of this study is to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Peace and conflict 2011-01, Vol.17 (1), p.22-45
Main Author: Halperin, Eran
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anger
Arab-Israeli conflict
Cognition
Conflict Resolution
Constraints
Emotions
Female
Human
International Relations
Israel
Jews
Male
Mental health
Path Analysis
Peace
Peace negotiations
Peace process
Political psychology
Political support
Public Opinion
Public Support
Summits
Violence
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Summary:It is well-established today that the psychological barrier is one of the most prominent factors operating against efforts to promote peace. However, most studies along these lines have concentrated on the cognitive barriers and neglected the emotional ones. Hence, the main goal of this study is to create a deeper understanding of how emotions (e.g., fear, anger, and hatred) directed toward an adversary serve as a barrier to potential public support for peaceful resolution of a conflict. To that end, an experimental survey was conducted among a representative nationwide sample of Jewish Israelis (N = 501) in the week prior to the Annapolis Peace Summit. Negative emotions were stimulated, and different variables reflecting support for peace or violence were measured. Results obtained via paths analysis using structural equation modeling have drawn a comprehensive map of the distinct impact of each emotion on specific aspects of public opinion toward the peace process.
ISSN:1078-1919
1532-7949
DOI:10.1080/10781919.2010.487862