Author: Tasneem Iqbal
Supervisor: Dr. Naumana Amjad
Degree: MSc
Year: 2010-2012
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present research aimed to investigate whether prejudiced beliefs against Jews can be changed through educational intervention and whether intervention influences willingness to join an anti-Semitic hate group. Sample consisted of 103 students from two departments of Punjab University, Lahore. A mixed between with-in group experimental design was used. It involved a pre-test measurement of prejudiced beliefs about a certain religious group (Jews), an educational intervention lecture and a post-test measurement of beliefs as well as a behavioral measure of willingness to join. Experimental group received intervention and control group received lecture on an unrelated topic. Two other groups were also included: one group without any intervention, and their beliefs were assessed twice and joining consent was assessed once. An experimental post-test only group was included to discern the effect of demand characteristics. It was hypothesized that Anti-Semitic beliefs would be reduced after educational intervention among experimental groups, there will be a significant difference in beliefs of experimental and control groups, more people are likely to give consent to join extremist group among control groups than experimental groups. The Anti-Semitic Beliefs Scale (Amjad and Wood, 2009) and the behavioral measure (content to join Muslim Youth Force) were administered on each participant. Independent Samples t-test was carried out to compare experimental and control groups. Paired sample t-test was used to compare pre and post intervention beliefs of experimental group. Chi- square was used to examine which group was more likely to join the hate group. Results of the study were consistent to the hypothesis. Anti- Semitic beliefs among experimental group were significantly reduced after educational intervention and the participants in this group were less willing to join extremist group.
Keywords: Prejudiced Beliefs, Jews, Young Muslims.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
