Solving the paradox - (further) evidence for a quadratic relationship between in-group centrality and group-based guilt.

Abstract

Previous research on the relationship between strength of in-group identification and collective guilt about an in-group's wrongdoing is mixed, providing evidence for both a negative and a positive relationship. One possible way to reconcile these findings is to explore non-linear (quadratic) functions. Correlational data (Study 1) and experimental data (Study 2) from two questionnaire studies (Ntotal=311) were in line with a quadratic relationship between self-centrality of the in-group and collective guilt (inverted U-shaped function). Collective guilt about a group's transgression was highest at medium levels of in-group centrality and lower for low and high levels of centrality, respectively. Additionally, defensive in-group beliefs (i.e., beliefs restoring a positive in-group image) were also associated non-linearly with in-group centrality (cubic relation relationship). Our findings call for a more detailed look on possible non-linear relationships between in-group identification and collective guilt or in-group defensiveness.