MODERN STEREOTYPE OF THE GERMAN NEIGHBOR AND ITS DETERMINANTS

In connection with a long history of Polish-German relations in both countries there functions the stereotype of the neighbor which is associated with the national characteristics. The main objective of the study is to define the modern stereotype of the Germans among the Poles. Such studies have been repeatedly applied, but their priority aspect is to observe the relationship between the attitude of the respondents towards the European Union and the stereotype of the Germans. The relationship between these variables has not been described yet on the basis of psychological research. In this study population comprised a group of one hundred fifty residents of Szczecin divided into three age groups. For the purposes of the research two separate questionnaires were created. The first one measures the attitude of the respondents towards the European Union. The second one explores the relationship between individual determinants and the stereotype of the Germans. The results of the study are quite surprising and include innovative features. The results show that today there exists a positive stereotype of the Germans. This is a consequence of Polish presence in the European Union for ten years, which is reflected in the study. The stereotype of the Germans is strongly related to the attitude of the respondents towards the European Union, which is the first such a conclusion based on Polish research. As far as the analysis and interpretation of the results are concerned, the main determinants of the image of the Germans are: age, frequency of visits to Germany, the number of social contacts with the Germans, a negative attitude of the family of the person tested towards western neighbors, as well as historical experience.