Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Can we forgive a militant outgroup member?: The role of perspective-taking

Noor

Authors



Abstract

Whereas previous research has commonly studied the effects of perspective-taking for harmless targets, we examined whether the effect of perspective-taking might extend to a violent outgroup target. That is, our target not only held members of the adversary group responsible for his plight but also issued a severe threat to them (suicide bombing). We report findings from two studies that were conducted within the intergroup relations between Israelis and Palestinians, defined by a prolonged and violent conflict. Study 1 found that perspective-taking with a radicalised and threatening Palestinian target could successfully be induced among Israeli participants and as a result led to their improved motivation to forgive the target. Study 2 directly manipulated threat in addition to perspective-taking. Irrespective of the presence of threat, perspective-taking led to improved motivation to forgive the target as well as to increased interpersonal liking for the target. Increased liking mediated fully the effect of perspective-taking on forgiveness. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed.

Acceptance Date May 7, 2018
Publication Date Dec 1, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Asian Journal of Social Psychology
Print ISSN 1367-2223
Publisher Wiley
Pages 246-255
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12328
Keywords Perspective-taking, threat, forgiveness, interpersonal liking, intergroup conflict
Publisher URL http://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12328