| Abstract: | This study examined the effect of the squad commander's ethnic origin on subordinates' interethnic attitudes. Thirty squads of recruits, serving in the Israeli army, took part in the study. Seventeen of the squad commanders were of Middle Eastern origin, and 13 of Western origin. Each squad contained both Middle Eastern and Western soldiers. Toward the end of the basic training, subjects responded to a series of questionnaires assessing their willingness to share various activities with both squad members and soldiers they did not know, as well as their evaluation of them. The results show- that those serving under a Western commander displayed more willingness to interact with Western than with Middle Eastern others. Subjects serving under a Western commander also evaluated more positively Western than Middle Eastern non-familiar soldiers. Those serving under a Middle Eastern commander displayed more willingness to share activities with Middle Eastern than with Western non familiar soldiers. They also evaluated nonfamiliar soldiers from Middle Eastern origins more positively than Western soldiers. The discussion focuses on the distinction between familiar and non familiar targets, and the role of “equal-status hypothesis” and “expectation states theory.” |
