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How do American undergraduates view suicide bombers?
1Psychology Program, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Jimmie Leeds Road, Pomona, NJ 08240-0195, USA. lesterd@stockton.edu
Psychological Reports
|March 27, 2009
Summary
American students viewed suicide bombers targeting civilians more negatively than those targeting soldiers. This perception highlights differing moral judgments in conflict scenarios involving non-combatants.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Political Psychology
- Conflict Studies
Background:
- Understanding public perception of political violence is crucial.
- Distinguishing between targeting civilians and soldiers impacts moral judgments.
- Previous research has explored attitudes towards terrorism and political conflict.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate American undergraduates' moral perceptions of different types of political violence.
- To compare attitudes towards suicide bombers and guerilla fighters targeting civilians versus soldiers.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 69 American undergraduates (mean age = 22.1 years).
- Participants rated their negative views of hypothetical scenarios involving suicide bombers and guerilla fighters.
- Scenarios differentiated between targets: civilians versus soldiers.
Main Results:
- Suicide bombers and guerilla fighters who killed civilians were viewed significantly more negatively.
- Participants showed less negative views towards perpetrators targeting soldiers.
Conclusions:
- American undergraduates differentiate moral judgments based on the target of political violence.
- The deliberate targeting of civilians elicits stronger negative moral condemnation than targeting soldiers.
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