Anti-Semitic prejudice in adolescence: an Italian study on shared beliefs

A study was conducted in Bologna and Venice on a sample of 427 subjects to verify whether anti-Semitic prejudice is observed in Italy, if it has direc t, violent expression (blatant prejudice), or if it assumes less evident fo rms (subtle prejudice). The sample was chosen to represent levels of contac t with the Jewish community to check the contact hypothesis (Bologna for th e no-contact condition and Venice for the contact-condition) in groups of d ifferent ages (adolescents, young people, and adults). We predicted a decre ase in blatant prejudice by subjects living in contact with Jews, but no di fferences in subtle prejudice. Also adolescents, more sensitive to polarise d choices, could be less tolerant towards Jews. One-way analysis of varianc e indicated evidence for anti-Semitic prejudice, whose typical expression w as a lack of positive emotions towards Jews. In particular, the whole sampl e denied negative emotions, such as disregard, annoyance, and irritation, a nd did not report positive emotions, such as attraction or curiosity.