Felt understanding in intergroup relations

Abstract

In this paper, I review recent research on the importance of intergroup felt understanding – the belief that outgroup members understand and accept the perspectives of ingroup members – in intergroup relations. I first discuss felt understanding in conceptual terms in the broader context of research on intergroup meta-perception, before reviewing recent findings on how feeling understood in intergroup terms predicts more positive intergroup outcomes such as trust. In the second part, I consider future possibilities for this work, including (1) how felt understanding relates to other concepts such as ‘voice’ and feeling empathized with; (2) how felt understanding might be fostered through interventions; and (3) connections between felt understanding – and the more general concept of responsiveness – and intergroup contact.