Perception of Nations: Government vs Citizenry

Abstract

A nation, unlike a person, may be seen more readily as composed of disparate parts. A decision made by one part such as the government may not necessarily reflect on the character of another part such as the citizenry. It was hypothesized that a friendly act by a government will elicit corresponding inferences about both government and citizenry only when the government is a republic. This form of government, as well as the citizenry under it, should also be better liked by judges with democratic values than a dictatorship should. These effects on perception should produce corresponding changes in behavior. 68 American college undergraduates made various judgmental and behavioral decisions concerning a fictitious nation described as either a republic or a dictatorship which complied with or refused a request made by the United States government. Compliance or refusal did not affect judgments concerning the citizenry at all, but limited support was obtained for the other predictions.