Abstract
In two different intergroup contexts, three studies investigated the role of temporal distance in responses to intergroup violence from both victim and perpetrator perspectives. In the context of the conflict between Serbs and Bosniaks, Study 1 showed that whereas increased subjective temporal distance predicted less support for justice-restoring efforts and less outgroup empathy among the perpetrator group (Serbs), it predicted more conciliatory, pro-outgroup attitudes among the victim group (Bosniaks). Furthermore, Bosniaks perceived the war as temporally closer than did Serbs. In the context of the U.S.–Iran conflict, Study 2 provided a partial conceptual replication of Study 1 and demonstrated that ingroup glorification motivated more temporal distancing among perpetrators and less temporal distancing among victims. Study 3 further established the causal effects of temporal distance on intergroup outcomes, and that these effects were moderated by glorification. Implications for post-conflict peacebuilding are discussed.
Highlights
Global politics in the post World War II period has been characterized by an uptake in the establishment of international norms, laws, and institutions to address past and prevent future human rights violations
In an effort to address this gap in the literature, the current research aimed to examine (a) whether temporal distance from a past conflict differentially predicts victim and perpetrator group members’ attitudes toward justice and reconciliation, as well as empathy toward the outgroup; (b) whether victim and perpetrator group members differ in their subjective perceptions of temporal distance; and (c) the moderating role of ingroup glorification
Study 1 provided preliminary support for the main hypotheses that temporal distance would be differentially associated with attitudes toward justice and reconciliation, as well as outgroup empathy, among victim and perpetrator group members
Summary
In an effort to address this gap in the literature, the current research aimed to examine (a) whether temporal distance from a past conflict differentially predicts victim and perpetrator group members’ attitudes toward justice and reconciliation, as well as empathy toward the outgroup; (b) whether victim and perpetrator group members differ in their subjective perceptions of temporal distance; and (c) the moderating role of ingroup glorification. Research on interpersonal conflict lends support to this popular lay theory—both objective and subjective temporal distance from an interpersonal transgression increases the victim’s willingness to forgive the perpetrator (Wohl & McGrath, 2007) Extending this finding to the intergroup context, it seems plausible that temporal distance serves a “healing” function for victim group members. More temporal distance from the past might help restore victims’ positive feelings toward the outgroup, increasing their empathy toward perpetrator group members
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