Narrative interventions in conflict settings: Harnessing the power of narratives to prevent violence and promote peace

Abstract

ABSTRACT Narrative intervention has emerged as a promising strategy for violence prevention and reconciliation in contexts of intergroup conflict. In this article, I synthesise the research on fictional narrative interventions disseminated via media and present a model elucidating the pathways of influence on attitudes and behaviours related to intergroup conflict and reconciliation. The article identifies the different psychological mechanisms typically embedded in media-based narrative interventions, such as communication of social norms, role modelling of behaviours, perspective-taking, awareness-raising, and parasocial contact. I discuss how narrative interventions influence intergroup outcomes by shaping social interactions and discussions, and address heterogeneous effects by considering three sets of factors: (1) the combination of theoretical principles embedded in the intervention; (2) intervention design and implementation; and (3) the characteristics of the conflict context. Finally, I consider the benefits of narrative interventions over other forms of intergroup conflict interventions and highlight avenues for future research.