Abstract
he feeling of otherness arises because of the subjectively perceived difference of the other from oneself (Sokol, 2016). The feeling of otherness is closely connected to Self because it helps to define one's identity (Staszak, 2009).
The feeling of otherness can be also seen as a warning sign that someone other can be dangerous (Sokol, 2016) or that one's unique identity may be threatened (Varvin, 2016). In other words, the more insecure is one's identity, the more of a threat is someone who is perceived as a representative of otherness.
Set of 4 personality and identity measures (translated to Czech) were used - BFI-10 (Rammstedt & John, 2007), Ego Identity Scale (Tan et al., 1977); Level of Personality Functioning Scale Brief Form (Bach & Hutsebaut, 2018), Propensity to Moral Disengagement Scale (Moore et al., 2012). The attitude to otherness was measured by the Bogardus Scale of Social Distance (Bogardus, 1947) using Romani, foreigner, homeless person, migrant, person with mental disorder, person with physical disability as representative of otherness.
Participants for this internet-based study were recruited through the posts on social media. The sample consisted of total N=260 participants (95 men, age from 19 to 55 years, M=27.5, SD=6.7).
No interrelation of attitudes toward otherness and ego identity was found. From Big Five personality traits Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness were found to be related to social distance.
Tendency to engage in moral disengagement is intercorrelated to intolerant attitudes. It is not surprising that perception of otherness is influenced by various internal as well as external characteristics.
The results showing the association between attitudes to otherness and identity are not yet clear.