Antisemitism and psychology: A long-overdue reengagement

This article reviews the historical contributions of psychological scholarship on antisemitism, identifies theoretical traditions that emerged directly from this work, and analyzes the social, methodological, and conceptual factors that contributed to its temporary marginalization. We then synthesize contemporary research that has revitalized the field, including work on memory-defensive antisemitism, conspiracy mentality, intergroup threat, and the psychological dynamics underlying anti-Zionist expressions of antisemitism. By integrating classical and contemporary perspectives, the article argues that antisemitism constitutes a theoretically distinctive form of prejudice that challenges standard models of stereotyping, power, and minority status. The introduction concludes by outlining the aims of the present special issue and highlighting key directions for future psychological research on antisemitism in an era of democratic fragility, digital misinformation, and renewed intergroup violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).