Représentation mythique, imputation causale et pertinence sociale des stéréotypes. Musulmans et Bouddhistes dans la représentation des tours du Worl
Mythical representation, causal attribution and stereotypes' social relevance. Muslims and Buddhists in the representation of Twin towers

Summary/Abstract: Previous work (Deconchy and Deschamps, 2008) showed that subjects who were previously put through cognitive control and then exposed to an iconography of “phantasmagoria” and subjects who were previously put through cognitive non-control and then exposed to an iconography of “blueprint” are those who use “wild beliefs” (non-socially regulated) the most to assign a cause to an unexpected event and henceforth considered “mythical”: we will report on this triple appellation. It was also found that in both situations the cognitive resources of the subjects are the lowest (Deconchy, 2006). Therefore, it is in these situations that the use of stereotypes would be more available since it is assumed that this action requires little cognitive resources. In this research, we aim to show that use of these privileged stereotypes depends on the greater or lesser social availability. To examine this hypothesis photographs of the Twin Towers on fire on 11th of September 2001 in New York were presented to students in an Italian University (N = 71) either as a “blueprint” or as “phantasmagoria.” Previously, these students had been either experiencing cognitive control or non-cognitive control. It was for them to assess the appropriateness of various causes attributed to the occurrence of the event. The results show that regarding the wild beliefs, only when the stereotype is not available (the Buddhists) we observe the expected interaction. Conclusions are drawn about extravagant explanations on possible basis of ideology.

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