| Sumario: | Few researchers dealing with the restoration of a country's international image have explored the cognitive motivations of target audiences. Using relations between Israel and Poland as a case study, this article examines the extent to which an audience is attached to problematic history. The results of a survey measuring the attitudes of Israeli Jews toward Poland indicate that, while at first most respondents declared an interest only in deepening their historical knowledge of the country, as more detailed questions were asked, the same respondents revealed greater curiosity about contemporary Poland. This article explains the discrepancy by identifying two distinct strategies adopted by respondents: one that produces responses more consistent with mainstream sentiment, and one driven more by respondents' personal interests. Examining the factors that determine declared and revealed preferences can enhance researchers' understanding of how human interest is constructed while offering practitioners guidance in restoring a country's image.
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