Shared Beliefs in a Society: Social Psychological Analysis

Bar-Tal (psychology, Tel Aviv U., Israel) describes two major concepts of the social psychological study of societies: shared belief on a societal level and societal ethos (loosely defined as being akin to the holistic concept of personality in an individual). After looking at the theoretical basis for the discussion, he explores shared belief in the realms of patriotism, national security, the delegitimization of marginal groups, and siege mentality. Most of the data upon which the analysis is based is drawn from opinion surveys in Israel and the United States. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR