Subtle priming of shared human experiences eliminates threat-induced negativity toward Arabs, immigrants, and peace-making

Motyl, Matt; Hart, Joshua; Pyszczynski, Tom; Weise, David; Maxfield, Molly; Siedel, Angelika

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2011.04.010

Cited by 81Death Anxiety and Social ExclusionSocial and Intergroup PsychologyPsychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment

Subtle priming of shared human experiences eliminates threat-induced negativity toward Arabs, immigrants, and peace-making

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Motyl, Matt, Hart, Joshua, Pyszczynski, Tom, Weise, David, Maxfield, Molly, Siedel, Angelika·2011·Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

DOI 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.04.010

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Abstract

Many studies demonstrate that mortality salience can increase negativity toward outgroups butfew have examined variables that mitigate this effect. The present research examined whethersubtly priming people to think of human experiences shared by people from diverse culturesincreases perceived similarity of members of different groups, which then reduces MS-inducednegativity toward outgroups. In Study 1, exposure to pictures of people from diverse culturesengaged in common human activities non-significantly reversed the effect of MS on implicitanti-Arab prejudice. In Study 2, thinking about similarities between one’s own favoritechildhood memories and those of people from other countries eliminated MS-induced explicitnegative attitudes toward immigrants. In Study 3, thinking about similarities between one’s ownpainful childhood memories and those of people from other countries eliminated the MS-inducedreduction in support for peace-making. Mediation analyses suggest the effects were driven byperceived similarity of people across cultures. These findings suggest that priming widely sharedhuman experiences can attenuate MS-induced intergroup conflict.

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Mortality salience increased negative attitudes towards immigration, except when participants connected with childhood stories authored by individuals from out-groups.
“MS increased negative attitudes towards immigration (worldview defense), except when participants connected with childhood stories authored by individuals from out-groups.”
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Authors: Motyl, M., Hart, J., Pyszczynski, T., Weise, D., Maxfield, M., & Siedel, A.
Affiliations: University of Virginia (US)
Union College (US)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (US)
University of Arizona (US)
Corresponding author: Motyl, Matt
ORCID: Motyl, Matt
Hart, Joshua
Pyszczynski, Tom
Maxfield, Molly
Venue: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2011-11
Volume: 47
Issue: 6
Pages: 1179-1184
ISSN: 0022-1031 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.04.010
OpenAlex: W3122922863
Cited by: 81
References: 28
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 8
FWCI: 9.36
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
Keywords: mortality salience, intergroup prejudice, immigrants, perceived similarity, shared human experience, priming, childhood memories, intergroup conflict

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Subtle priming of shared human experiences eliminates threat-induced negativity toward Arabs, immigrants, and peace-making

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