Scientific Publications and Conference Presentations by Our Members
Articles and Reports
Citation
Sigelman, C. K., Lane, J. D., & Friedman, S. L. (2025). Negative beliefs, sentiments, and discriminatory behavior toward Jews: A developmental review. Review of General Psychology. doi: 10.1177/10892680251382811
Abstract
In the first such review to our knowledge, we analyze 85 studies conducted since World War II addressing how cognitive, affective, and behavioral biases against Jewish people take form in childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood; their implications for Jewish youth; influences on their development; and efforts to reduce them. Studies were concentrated in the Middle East and Western countries and used a wide variety of methods. Although many studies have significant theoretical or methodological limitations, others are quite strong. Collectively, this work highlights the foundational roles of social categorization and labeling, ingroup-outgroup dynamics, and essentialist thinking. Across development, knowledge of Jews is limited and replete with misconceptions. Common negative stereotypes increase with age, as do negative attitudes and antisemitic behaviors, which are increasingly interrelated with anti-Israel sentiment among emerging adults. Jewish children and youth are well aware of and concerned about anti-Jewish bias, but hesitant to call it out. Very little research has explored cultural, school, neighborhood, parent, peer, and media influences on children’s anti-Jewish bias. However, several studies point to its malleability through interventions focusing on social-cognitive and emotional skill building and positive contact with Jewish peers. Implications for future research, education, and policy are discussed.
Citation
Brosbe, M. S., Kaufman, C. C., Getzoff Testa, E., Dimentstein, K., Guttman-Lapin, D., & Rasooli, T. (2026). Is it really that bad? Antisemitic experiences among Jewish mental health professionals. American Psychologist. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/amp0001642
Abstract
Antisemitism has been rising in the United States in recent years, including within the mental health field. However, experiences of antisemitism among mental health professionals have yet to be systematically examined. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine perceptions of antisemitism among mental health professionals as well as their occupational impact. The study sample included 218 Jewish mental health professionals (75% women, 67% White, 54% clinical psychologists) recruited via online groups serving Jewish mental health professionals and snowball sampling. Participants completed measures of demographics and Jewish identity and quantitative and free-response questions about experiences of antisemitism and perceived impacts via an online survey. The majority reported that antisemitism is at least somewhat of a problem (n = 198, 91%) and has increased at least somewhat over the past year (n = 200, 93%). Most reported experiencing antisemitism (n = 161, 74%), and more than a third (n = 84, 39%) reported experiencing antisemitic harassment. Participants reported many consequences of antisemitism, including anxiety in the work setting (n = 161, 74%), professional exclusion (n = 46, 21%), and harmed relationships with colleagues (n = 115, 53%). Themes from qualitative responses overall reflected perceptions of exclusion, erasure, and delegitimization of various aspects of Jewish identity and practice. Experiences of antisemitism appear prevalent among mental health professionals and associated with various personal and professional consequences. Findings underscore the urgent need to confront antisemitism in professional psychology and provide support for Jewish mental health professionals.
Click here to read the article published in the American Psychologist journal
Citation
American Undergraduates and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Graham Wright, Shahar Hecht, Daniel Nussbaum, Samantha Shortall, and Leonard Saxe
August 2026
Since October 7, a substantial amount of polling has been conducted on the views of US young adults about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, beyond general opinions about the actors in the conflict, we know little about the attitudes that contribute to those views. This report focuses on undergraduates’ overall orientation toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a construct that aims to capture the complexity and nuance of how students think and feel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The report examines how Israel/Palestine orientation relates to views on specific statements that have been the subject of much debate in the Israel/Palestine discourse. The findings draw on data collected from nearly 4,000 undergraduates in the fall 2025 semester and demonstrate that American students’ views about Israel are not as clear-cut as media reports or polling data suggest.
