Well, I think this could be modeled akin to visual contrast. A similar population that is close enough to serve as a magnet for insecurities. This will create artificial contrast. Certainly interesting, but not really new ground. It probably fits established in/out group frameworks well. The experiment I have in mind would be one where New York subjects shock others in a Milgram style fashion. I predict that they would maximally punish those we tell them to hail from New Jersey, as they ultimately see them as prawn-like non-human creatures of sorts. Any social psychologists reading here? ;) The economic implications are very real. I wonder what the rent in Hoboken would be, if it was acceptable for New Yorkers to live there. I bet I couldn’t afford it…