Antisemitism in German Higher Education. Results from a Survey Experiment Among Students at a German University
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Publication Date
7 April 2025
Abstract
This study examines the extent of antisemitic bias in German higher education through a survey experiment conducted among students (N=1,416) at an average-sized German university in the fall of 2024/2025. Using a between-subjects design, participants were randomly assigned to evaluate English academic writing courses taught by fictitious instructors whose profiles varied by gender and ethnic/religious background—categorized as German, Israeli, and Jewish. Instructors were rated on sympathy and competence using a 7-point scale. While no significant differences emerged for competence ratings, results reveal notable bias in sympathy ratings: instructors identified as Jewish, particularly male Jewish instructors, received significantly lower ratings compared to their German counterparts. Instructors from Israel without a visible Jewish symbol were not rated significantly differently. There was also a gender bias, as female instructors with a German profile were rated less favorably than male instructors. Interestingly, the anti-Jewish bias was predominantly driven by female student raters, whereas male students primarily exhibited gender bias without significant antisemitic tendencies. These findings suggest that antisemitic motives, rather than anti-Israel sentiment, underlie the negative evaluations observed in this academic setting, and highlight the complex interplay between ethnic/religious prejudice and gender bias.
Topics
Antisemitism: Attitude Surveys Antisemitism Antisemitism: Israel-Related Gender Universities / Higher Education Students Experiments Main Topic: Antisemitism
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CC-By Attribution 4.0 Internationa
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Bibliographic Information
Antisemitism in German Higher Education. Results from a Survey Experiment Among Students at a German University. 7 April 2025: https://archive.jpr.org.uk/10.31235/osf.io/xqr95_v1
