5 key social psychological constructs that explain the current Israeli societal behavior and policy-making

Dr. Mustafa Elmasri @Gaza_Psych

Exploration into five key social psychological constructs that explain the current Israeli societal behavior and policy-making —collective narcissism, collective victimhood, shared delusions, moral disengagement and dehumanization of the other—.

1. Collective Narcissism: Exploring the concept of collective narcissism within Israeli society shows an interplay of national identity, where the desire for external validation and sensitivity to criticism might influence both domestic policy and international relations.

2. Collective Victimhood: There’s a strong sense of collective victimhood, where historical and ongoing conflicts contribute to a societal narrative of being perpetually under threat or victimized. leading to reluctance to engage in peace processes or acknowledge the suffering of the other side. Peace is perceived as a threat to the national identity.

3. Shared Delusions: The concept of shared delusions within Israeli society, one finds a complex tapestry of collective beliefs and narratives about superiority, security and fake history that are taken for granted by the average Israeli. A ‘Folie à Millions’ in plain sight. Challenging a shared delusion leads to aggression and isolation.

4. Moral Disengagement: The Israeli groupthink is rife with narrative where immoral actions are often justified through mechanisms like dehumanization or moral justification, highlighting a deep-seated struggle with collective ethics.

5. Dehumanization of the Other: Viewing the adversary (outgroup) not as fellow humans but as less than human, which can facilitate aggression and conflict without the usual moral constraints. This has often been seen in the portrayal of enemies in media or political discourse.

Written by Dr. Mustafa Elmasri @Gaza_Psych

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