| Abstract: | Benign stereotypes of Jews are widespread, but whether they are genuinely complimentary remains unresolved. This study addresses the question using data from the 1990 General Social Survey. There are four main findings. First, benign Jewish stereotypes are far more common than corresponding blatantly anti-Semitic images. Second, there is no evidence that benign stereotypes are genuinely complimentary but strong indications that they are subtle expressions of underlying prejudice. Third, many non-Jews simultaneously both benign stereotypes and blatantly anti-Semitic stereotypes. Fourth, unlike blatant expressions of prejudice, benign stereotypes are more common among the well educated and affluent. Implications are drawn concerning the nature, extent, and future of anti-Semitic prejudice. |
