Assertiveness Over Prejudicial Stereotypes
In the ongoing pursuit of peace and understanding, a significant academic exchange initiative between Lower Saxon and Israeli universities has been in operation since 1977. This collaboration, funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, is currently focusing on a project that aims to reduce hostility and foster positive contacts, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The project, titled "Using Self-Affirmation to Reduce Intergroup Hostility and Facilitate Intergroup Contact in the Israel-Palestinian Conflict," is being led by Professor Eran Halperin from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Department of Psychology, with the participation of an expert in self-affirmation, David Sherman from the University of California in Santa Barbara.
The project's objectives are multifold. It seeks to strengthen a person's own ego, foster contact between groups, and combat fears and feelings of being threatened. The interventions are designed to appeal to people's own basic moral values and encourage them to adopt a new perspective, such as by presenting positive examples of reconciliation.
The interventions are expected to be easily implementable and have a considerable impact, with a focus on reaching individuals with negative attitudes through short, entertaining video interventions on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
The project is part of the Research Cooperation Lower Saxony - Israel, which provides funding for academic exchange between Lower Saxon and Israeli universities. This collaboration is not limited to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; it also includes studies on topics such as the ethical challenges posed by a digital healthcare policy, problems bilingual people have understanding speech in noisy environments, and the reconstruction of an ancient temple near Jerusalem.
Eight studies are planned in four different contexts, including Israelis and Palestinians, German extremists, religious Muslims, and pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students in the USA. The project values the diverse backgrounds of the participating project teams, including their family, religious, cultural, and professional differences, as well as their ability to take an external view of the situation.
The state of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation have increased funding amounts and extended the duration of ongoing projects due to the hostilities. The project's success could pave the way for similar initiatives in other conflict zones, offering a beacon of hope in troubled times.
As the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to escalate and cause global concern, this academic collaboration provides a unique approach to promoting peace and understanding. By focusing on psychological interventions, the project aims to address the root causes of hostility and foster positive contacts, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious world.
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