Development of an Ethnic Self-Definition: The Ethnic Self-Concept "Jew" Among Israeli Children

Abstract

The suggestion is made that ethnic self-definition-in this case the selfdefinition "Jew"-develops in a repeated pattern of movement from centrated to decentrated focus, according to an increasing number of units of mental capacity. It is further suggested that this identity develops according to a stagewise progression. An original scale (JRS) for the mode of definition of the self as "Jew" is introduced, paralleling the Piagean progression from intuitive preoperations through formal operations. In a series of studies of Israeli-born children it is demonstrated that there is a correlation of 0.57 between age and the JRS, and also a correlation of 0.55 with a seven-item Piagean-type scale of cognitive tasks. Some light is shed on the conflict, "Am I an Israeli or a Jew". Superficial differences in self-definition of religious and secular Jewish children are lessened when they are aided to eliminate logical inconsistencies in their original definitions. Implications for a theory of ethnic self-definition are explored.

Social Group Identity and Perceptions of Online Hate*

“…The non‐significance of the religious effect is likewise not without precedent. Dor‐Shav () and Stein (), for instance, note that Jewish youth learn at an early age to expect enmity aimed at them and process hate by relying on close associations for support. Therefore, they are not as disturbed when hate is aimed at them.…”

“…There is a long history of minority group members embedding themselves within strong social networks to counteract the negative consequences of stigmatization. Studies of Jewish youth, for instance, show they learn early in life to expect hostility and rely on family members for support (Dor‐Shav ; Stein ). Thus, we expect individuals with strong support systems to rate online hate material as less disturbing than those who lack such support.…”

Dissecting Life with a Jewish Scalpel: A Qualitative Analysis of Jewish‐Centered Family Life*

“…As early as the 1940s, different theorists have asserted that “a minority person's sense of security, stability, and self‐esteem depended on the degree to which he identified with his own group” (Lewin, 1948, p. 40). Lewin was one of many scholars who strongly asserted that minorities are often vulnerable to feelings of insecurity, fear, maladjustment, and inferiority if they do not develop a feeling of belongingness to their group (Carter, 1991; Cross, 1978; Dor‐Shav, 1990; Feldman, 1990; Gushue, 1993; Klein, 1980; Lerner, 1982; McGoldrick, Pearce, & Giordano, 1982; Thompson, 1991). Lewin (1948) suggested that “difficulties begin when a minority individual wishes to leave his own group to become part of the powerful majority … he is usually rebuffed by the majority and finds himself unaccepted by the outgroup and unhappy about remaining in the ingroup … his resulting frustration is turned against himself and his group changing to self‐hatred and hatred of his own people” (p. 201; elipses in original).…”

“…These studies revealed whether Jews are “practicing” how often they practice, whom they befriend, how they affiliate, and whom they tend to marry, using Jewish identity scales designed primarily to measure behavioral indicators of Jewish identification. Fewer studies have been conducted that explore the relationship between the strength of Jewish identity and self‐esteem (Dor‐Shav, 1990; Rutchik, 1968), and no study to date has asked Jewish families to describe their perceptions of the development of Jewish identity and its interface with family dynamics and individual well‐being.…”

Experiencing Hate Speech: Perceptions and Responses to Anti‐Semitism and Antigay Speech

“…Most likely, the different social histories associated with Jews and homosexuals will have an impact on their stigma management. For example, it is not uncommon for Jewish youth to be prepared from an early age to expect hostility, to learn how to process it, and to rely on family for support (Dor-Shav, 1990;Stein, 1994). Ostensibly, Jews as a group are better equipped than homosexuals to deal with prejudice and discrimination.…”