ABSTRACT
Social psychologists' interest in intergroup emotions as a source of behavior and perceptions of outgroups has its parallel in the international relations field of political science where scholars have been studying the origins and consequences of the images that nation-states hold of each other as political entities, particularly in the context of international conflict. Image theory provides a framework for understanding die appraisal stage of intergroup emotions and behavior. Herrmann identified three critical dimensions of intergroup relationships that give rise to sentiments and subsequent images of the other. If image theory provides a general model of intergroup emotions and perceptions, then it should be applicable to all intergroup contexts, beyond that of international relations. The survey instrument included items designed to assess respondents' appraisals of contemporary Black-White relations in the United States, the emotions they feel in the presence of members of each group, and the images they hold of each.
