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Perceptions of Americans and the Iraq InvasionImplications for Understanding National Character StereotypesNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, terraccianoa{at}grc.nia.nih.gov
National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, mccraej{at}grc.nia.nih.gov This study examines perceptions of the "typical American" from 49 cultures around the world. Contrary to the ethnocentric bias hypothesis, a strong agreement was found between in-group and out-group ratings on the American profile (assertive, open-minded, but antagonistic). In fact, Americans had a somewhat less desirable view of Americans than did others. Within cultures, in-group ratings were not systematically more favorable than out-group ratings. The Iraq invasion had a slight negative effect on perceptions of the typical American, but people around the world seem to draw a clear distinction between U.S. foreign policy and the character of the American people. National character stereotypes appear to have a variety of sources and to be perpetuated by both cognitive mechanisms and sociocultural forces.
Key Words: national character stereotypes personality traits cross-cultural stereotype change auto-and hetero-stereotype agreement
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 6,
695-710 (2007) This article has been cited by other articles:
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