Reacciones psico-políticas ante los ataques terroristas del 11 de Marzo de 2004

Abstract

This research tests hypothesis, in a Spanish sample, generated from studies of September 11, 2001. Spanish respondents (N = 340) reported their hopes and fears for the future (adapted from Pratto, Lemiex, Glasford and Henry, 2003) two, three and four weeks following the terrorist attacks on Madrid of March 11, 2004. We also measure the importance of political-psychological orientations, including empathy, social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism and values (benevolence and security) in predicting hopes and fears. Results showed that scores in authoritarianism, social dominance orientation and patriotism were positively related among each other, while empathy was negatively related to social dominance and authoritarianism. The main Spanish fears were insecurity, intergroup violence, loss of predominance and loss of personal freedom. Spanish hopes were security/punishment, international peace, internal unity, restoration, lack of terrorism and political change. Analysis showed which psycho-political variables predicted fears and hopes and how these last variables predicted several indexes of prejudice toward Arabs.