Step by step: Testing the staircase model of intergroup apologies

Samuel J Nunney,Antony S R Manstead

doi:10.1002/ejsp.2758

Abstract

AbstractDespite the assumption that intergroup apologies should lead to forgiveness in the same way that interpersonal ones do, research suggests that this is not the case. We report two studies exploring the application of the Staircase Model of Intergroup Apologies (Wohl et al., 2011), in which an intergroup apology is embedded in a broader reconciliation process. Participants read accounts of an intergroup conflict (the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland) and subsequent efforts to achieve reconciliation, focusing on an official apology issued by the IRA. The content of this apology was varied such that the steps specified by the Staircase Model were presented either sequentially (Study 1) or in a manipulated order (Study 2). Both studies yielded results that were broadly supportive of the model. There were significant effects on measures of forgiveness, perceptions of the perpetrating group, and negative emotion (in particular disgust). The implications for enhancing the efficacy of intergroup apologies are discussed.

Highlights

There is a widespread assumption that intergroup apologies— apologies offered by one group to another group—provide an important basis for achieving reconciliation between these groups (e.g., Branscombe & Cronin, 2010; Tavuchis, 1991)
A key finding of this study is that applying the Staircase Model to a setting in which participants had a reasonably close relation to the historical events showed that the model had a positive impact on forgiveness rates
This suggests that the offering of an intergroup apology (Step 4) that is preceded by acknowledgement of guilt, setting straight the record of events, and discussion of compensation can reduce fear and disgust felt towards the perpetrator group

Summary

Introduction

There is a widespread assumption that intergroup apologies— apologies offered by one group to another group—provide an important basis for achieving reconciliation between these groups (e.g., Branscombe & Cronin, 2010; Tavuchis, 1991) This assumption is reflected in the marked increase in large-scale apologies being delivered by countries, political parties, businesses and corporations, leading to the suggestion that we have entered an “age of apology” (e.g., Barkan, 2000; Brooks, 1999; Gibney et al, 2008). Such apologies are offered for both historical and current transgressions in an effort to improve intergroup relations. In the present article we report two studies in which we sought to test predictions derived from that model

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Conclusion