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"Individuals who live in groups hold common beliefs which define their reality, not only as persons but also as group members. This reality becomes especially important when group members become aware that they share beliefs and are convinced that these beliefs characterize them as a group. In this case common beliefs become group beliefs." With this statement, Dr. Bar-Tal begins his far-reaching analysis of beliefs as a group phenomenon. Group beliefs are shown to have important behavioral, cognitive, and affective implications for group members and the group as a whole. They may contribute to the behavioral direction a group takes, coordinate group activities, determine the intensity and involvement of group members, and influence the way group members affect the leaders.
This book introduces and articulates the implications of a new concept of group beliefs, shedding new light on the structure and processes of groups, focusing on such phenomena as group formation, subgrouping, splits, mergence and group disintegration. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, this integrative conception opens new avenues to the study and understanding of group behaviour.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Contents: Nature of Beliefs.- Historical Perspective on Shared Beliefs.- The Conception of Group Beliefs.- Contents and Characteristics of Group Beliefs.- Formation and Maintenance of Group Beliefs.- Group Beliefs and Group Changes.- Case One: German Delegitimizing Beliefs About Jews - 1933-1945.- Implications.- Postscript.- References.- Author Index.- Subject Index.
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Daniel Bar-Tal is Professor of Social Psychology at the School of Education, Tel-Aviv University. He is the Coeditor in Chief of the Palestine Israel Journal, Director of the Walter Lebach Research Institute for Jewish-Arab Coexistence Through Education, and Co-Director of the European Summer Institute in Political Psychology.
