1. Nature of Beliefs. - Epistemological Basis of Beliefs. - Meaning of Beliefs. - Characteristics of Beliefs. - Summary. - 2. Historical Perspective on Shared Beliefs. - The Superindividual Integrity of Common Beliefs. - Common Beliefs as Products of Group Members. - Summary. - 3. The Conception of Group Beliefs. - Definition of Group Beliefs. - Group Beliefs and Group Definitions. - Identification of Group Beliefs. - Summary. - 4. Contents and Characteristics of Group Beliefs. - of Group Beliefs. - Characteristics of Group Beliefs. - Summary. - 5. Formation and Maintenance of Group Beliefs. - Formation of the Fundamental Group Belief. - Formation of Additional Group Beliefs. - Dissemination of Group Beliefs. - Maintenance of Group Beliefs. - Extension of Group Membership. - Summary. - 6. Group Beliefs and Group Changes. - Mergence of Groups. - Subgrouping. - Change of Group Beliefs. - Group Schism. - Disintegration. - Summary. - 7. Case One: German Delegitimizing Beliefs About Jews19331945. - Delegitimization. - A Process of Delegitimizing Jews19331945. - of German Delegitimizing Beliefs About Jews. - German Delegitimizing Beliefs as Group Beliefs. - The Cultural Background of Delegitimization. - Spreading the Delegitimizing Beliefs. - Functions of Delegitimizing Beliefs. - Summary. - 8. Implications. - Group Beliefs and Groups. - Group Beliefs and Social Cognition. - Conclusions. - Postscript. - Group of Scientists. - Scientists' Group Beliefs. - Changes of Scientists' Group Beliefs. - Conclusions. - References. - Author Index. Language: English