Abstract
The present paper investigates a positive, other-oriented moral emotion: group-based gratitude, in reaction to intergroup positive interdependence or outgroup contributions to ingroup’s goals. Three studies support the notion that group-based gratitude plays a role in improving intergroup attitudes between natives and immigrants in the French context. In Study 1, positive intergroup interdependence was associated with group-based gratitude, which in turn was negatively associated with prejudicial attitudes and behavioral intentions. In the last two studies, highlighting historical outgroup contributions elicited group-based gratitude, which in turn reduced prejudice, increased perceived warmth and reciprocity (i.e., helping behavioral intentions), compared to control condition and positive condition. Links with indebtedness and common ingroup are discussed.
Highlights
The present paper investigates a positive, other-oriented moral emotion: group-based gratitude, in reaction to intergroup positive interdependence or outgroup contributions to ingroup’s goals
We argue that intergroup positive interdependence triggers group-based gratitude, which in return fosters positive intergroup attitudes and behaviors
Satisfactory fit is indicated by a non-significant χ2, a χ2/df ratio equal to or below 3, a comparative fit index (CFI), a normed fit index (NFI) and a Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) equal to or above 0.95
Summary
The present paper investigates a positive, other-oriented moral emotion: group-based gratitude, in reaction to intergroup positive interdependence or outgroup contributions to ingroup’s goals. The present article aims to investigate to what extent intergroup positive interdependence, and more precisely, the outgroup’s contributions to the ingroup’s goals, can elicit gratitude as a group-based emotion (i.e., experienced on behalf of one’s group; Smith, 1993) and can foster positive intergroup relations. Positive Intergroup Relationships and Group-Based Emotions Social psychological research has extensively investigated negative intergroup relations (e.g., prejudice), and how to reduce prejudice and resolve intergroup conflict To this end, when confronted with negative intergroup events or structural relations, such as ingroup past wrongdoings (e.g., Brown & Cehajic, 2008; Doosje et al, 1998) or illegitimate ingroup advantage (e.g., Harth et al, 2008), individuals experience negative group-based emotions, such as guilt, shame or regret. As per Jonas and Mummendey (2008), positive intergroup relations referred to ‘judgments (e.g., expressions of appreciation, attraction, admiration and warm emotions), attitudes, and behavior between groups that are intended to reach or maintain a mutual, and positively perceived relationship’ (211) and could stem from, for example, intergroup contact, intergroup helping or joint goals
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