Abstract:

Facial coverings can function as health-related apparel, anonymity devices, or religious identity signals. These meanings may shift social perception and downstream discrimination, especially under conditions of intergroup conflict. We analyzed a four-condition survey experiment (natural face, medical mask, wrap-around ski scarf, and niqab) fielded in August 2025 in the United States, France, and Israel (total N ≈ 3,500). Respondents rated a female target on traits linked to warmth and competence and indicated hiring likelihood. Across countries, any covering reduced positive trait impressions and hiring relative to an uncovered face. The largest penalties were observed for the niqab and scarf. These effects were stronger in France and Israel than in the United States and were moderated by security–liberty tradeoffs and attitudes toward Muslims. In Israel, comparisons with a 2022 benchmark suggested additional decline in evaluations by 2025. The results indicate that facial occlusion and culturally specific threat schemas jointly contribute to trait inference and employment-related exclusion.

Speaker bio: 

Prof. Israel Sergio Waismel-Manor is an Associate Professor at the School of Political Science, University of Haifa. He hold a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University. His first stream of research engages with the literature on democratic backsliding; it explores the erosion of democratic norms and institutions; and it challenges the premises of democratic participation. His second stream of research focuses on how democratic health shapes the public’s physiological and psychological well-being, and its effects on citizens’ attitude formation, electoral preferences, and participation. His research was published in leading political science, communication and medical journals, and featured in various media outlets including the New York Times and Haaretz. He has been a visiting professor at Stanford University and Cornell University. He is currently member of the American Political Science Association Political Communication Executive Board Committee.