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Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
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Perceptions of Americans and the Iraq Invasion

Implications for Understanding National Character Stereotypes

Antonio Terracciano

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, terraccianoa{at}grc.nia.nih.gov

Robert R. McCrae

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

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Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 6, 695-710 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0022022107308586
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