NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED351267
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991-Sep
Pages: 22
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1101-6418
EISSN: N/A
Enemy Images among University Students in Four Countries: A Cross-National Exploration Using an Associative Technique. Peace Education Miniprints No. 20.
Bjerstedt, Ake; And Others
Since "enemy imgaes" are important ingredients in preparedness for war, they merit study by researchers interested in peace education and in the psychology of peace and war. This study postulates that images of enemy groups, whether they be foreign countries or various subgroups within one's own country, are an important psychological construct to the willingness of persons to support the use of military force or warfare. The study examines the phenomenon of enemy images among university students in four countries--Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the USSR. The study employed the use of an associative technique in which students were given a verbal stimulus (such as "The United States" or "The Soviet Union) and asked to write all the the words that occurred to them during a two minute period. Seven stimuli were used: the future, avoiding war, enemies of our country, peace, the United States, the Soviet Union, and human rights. The study was conducted during 1988 and 1989. Results included the finding that the attitudes of the university students from the four countries cannot be said to be greatly characterized by negative and stereotyped images of foreign countries or other foreign groups as enemies, or by militaristic attitudes in general. A 32-item list of references is included. (DB)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Lund Univ. (Sweden). Malmo School of Education.
Identifiers - Location: Denmark; Finland; Sweden; USSR
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A