This paper sets the objective to systematize answers to the core question, “How can we improve the relations of people from different countries?” by means of social psychology theoretical resources and empirical research. The paper first investigates the psychological roots of intergroup bias so as to have a conceptual basis for defining the problem. The second part will concentrate on discussing two main intervention methods employed by social psychologists: Contact Theory and the Common Ingroup Identity Model. This involves the analysis of the effectiveness of these strategies, along with the conditions under which they can be applied, and possible risks. Besides these, the paper will examine additional strategies such as perspective-taking and cultural exchange. The last stage of this paper is an attempt to bring together, in one coherent, practical, and thorough intervention plan, the mentioned theoretical references with an indication of the prevalent psychological mechanisms responsible for that and the purpose of being a significant resource for the future of transnational understanding and cooperation.

ABSTRACT This study examined identity management processes in interfaith parent – child communication in China. Drawing on the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), a thematic analysis revealed that Chinese Christians experience identity gaps across relational and communal identity layers. The study introduced two collaborative strategies, partner engagement and interpersonal adaptation, to support the relational nature of navigating identity gaps. The study also highlights the integration of identity layers through the processes of aligning and transforming. This study contributes to CTI’s theoretical development and integrates with intergroup theorizing through communication practices such as accommodative communication, perspective-taking, and the creation of a common ingroup identity.

ABSTRACT Gender inequalities are pervasive worldwide, and transnational cooperation plays a crucial role in addressing this issue beyond national borders, thereby contributing to global social justice and sustainable development. This article employs randomized controlled trials to examine how political-psychological factors – such as identity, empathy, and linked fate – along with the varying levels of women’s social disadvantages and the associated costs of assistance, influence individuals’ willingness to take action against gender inequality across borders. This research consisted of two studies that employed vignette experiments. Study 1 (N = 685) manipulated outgroup or ingroup identity in the perception of gender inequality in another country and examined the relationship between identity and political participation aimed at advancing gender equality. Study 2 (N = 491) manipulated the severity of gender inequality and the costs of pro-gender equality actions. The results reveal the mechanism through which common ingroup identity, empathy, and a sense of linked fate encourage women to take action in reducing gender inequality beyond national borders.

ABSTRACT Does American identity still bind us together? As scholars explore approaches to mitigate affective polarization, one promising intervention – priming a Common Ingroup Identity (CII) through national identity – has attracted significant attention. However, recent findings suggest that this intervention may not be as effective as once believed. Through a replication of Levendusky's (2018) experiment experiment, and a conceptual replication using Nationscape and American National Election Studies survey data, this study uncovers two critical findings. First, Levendusky’s treatment is no longer effective in constraining affective polarization in the current political context. Second, negative feeling toward the nation is closely associated with intensified out-party animosity. This research contributes to our understanding of the limitations of depolarization interventions and highlights the potential negative consequences that may arise when national identity is activated in a hyperpolarized environment.

Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has generated unprecedent solidarity by the EU. Research has suggested that identification with the EU could positively affect the intention to help Ukrainians. The aim of this research is to make a further contribution in this direction, exploring the effect of identification with the EU on attitude towards welcoming of Ukrainian refugees and favouritism towards them, compared to other refugee groups. Following a social identity perspective, we investigated these attitudes considering the role of egalitarian world-view and degree of separation between Ukraine and the EU, to understand whether they could affect ingroup bias and a double standard in welcoming refugees. The results of a survey ( N = 300) suggest two different psychological processes: (1) identification with the EU stimulates the adoption of egalitarian values which, in turn, foster a positive attitude towards welcoming Ukrainians; (2) the degree of separation between Ukraine and the EU moderates the association between identification and favouritism; that is, participants who score low on this variable tend to show favouritism towards Ukrainian refugees over others. Results are discussed drawing on the theory of social identity and the common ingroup identity model.

Shared national identities have been demonstrated to reduce intergroup bias and mitigate affective polarization in online discussions. However, by employing online discussions about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a case study, this research challenges national identity’s effectiveness, as proposed by the Common Ingroup Identity Model (CIIM). The findings indicate that Chinese national identity’s involvement triggers a “backfire” effect, intensifying biases between pro-TCM and anti-TCM groups, exacerbating affective polarization further. This finding expands consideration of national identity priming in CIIM beyond Western contexts and suggests that when priming national identity, it is crucial to account for different countries’ specific historical and cultural contexts.

With rising risks to democracy, the delegitimization of political actors that criticize state policies is increasing worldwide. Our research examines what intergroup psychological interventions can contribute to the (re)legitimization of these critical voices. We consider two approaches to legitimization, as a process involving the recategorization of a target from illegitimate to legitimate: (1) interventions encouraging recategorization of societal actors based on common preferences, values and/or the common ingroup identity; and (2) interventions highlighting inconsistencies between delegitimizing attitudes and ingroup identity, values or interest. An intervention tournament among 1691 Jewish Israelis tested several interventions, based on real information, against a generic Control condition. The results of a mixed-effects model revealed that two interventions, highlighting commonalities between the delegitimized group and mainstream attitudes and values, were effective in increasing the group’s perceived legitimacy. These interventions, emphasizing common interests (e.g., supporting communities, reducing disparities in the provision of health services) and common values (e.g., human dignity, fair due process), can be applied to amplify and include critical voices as part of the effort to combat the harmful consequences of democratic backsliding.

Just as Israel brands itself as a progressive "Start-Up Nation", Israeli citizens increasingly identify as religious. Religion plays an increasing role in intergroup tensions in Israel. Negative effects of religion and its public representations on intergroup attitudes are well researched, but little is known of its positive effects. We ask whether religion can also play a role in improving intergroup attitudes. This study explores the effects of three different public and media representations of shared identity and tolerance on interreligious prejudice among Israeli Muslim adolescents and young adults. The interventions included an interfaith similarities-based common ingroup identity (focusing on shared aspects of Judaism and Islam), a modern national universalistic approach (focusing on religious tolerance), and a modern academic technological identity (highlighting Israel as a "Start-Up Nation"). Findings indicate that the interfaith similarities-based intervention had the most substantial impact in reducing prejudice, specifically by decreasing stereotypes and increasing willingness for social encounters. In contrast, the national universalistic and technological identity interventions were less effective, and in some cases even increased perceived threat or failed to mitigate stereotypes. These findings highlight the potential for leveraging interfaith commonalities as a foundation for intergroup prejudice reduction.

The relationship between imagined intergroup contact and common ingroup identity: The mediating effects of perceived intergroup similarity and recategorization.

Using the Common Ingroup Identity Model to Understand Public Attitudes and Acceptance of Gay People in Singapore

Abstract: Previous research investigated how a shared human identity may promote interracial inclusion in the context of mass media ( Ellithorpe et al., 2018 ). The original study found promising results of reduced intergroup prejudice through watching the supernatural genre. However, the original results had mixed support to theory, that is, the Common Ingroup Identity Model (CIIM). To test whether the expected and unexpected results of Ellithorpe et al. (2018) would exhibit again with a different sample, we replicated and extended this research. The overall pattern of our findings is consistent with the original study, in that we again found a cross-over interaction between human identity cues (human villains vs. nonhuman villains) and diversity cues (all-White heroes vs. racially diverse heroes) on the strength of human identity. Participants reported stronger human identity when watching racially diverse heroes fighting against nonhuman villains compared to human villains. Participants also reported stronger human identity when watching White heroes fighting against human villains compared to non-human villains. However, we are hesitant to claim that Ellithorpe et al.’s results were fully replicated in our research as most simple main effects of group comparisons were statistically nonsignificant. Overall, our findings offered limited support to Ellithorpe et al.’s original study and minimal support to CIIM. Our experiment also extended the original research. We found that the impact of watching supernatural genre on ingroup relationship may be more likely to work through reduced negative attitudes rather than increased positive attitudes.

Background/Objective Weight stigma has significant psychological and social implications, yet studies on perspective-taking as an intervention strategy remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effect of perspective-taking on weight stigma among Chinese university students and examine the potential mediating role of common ingroup identity. Methods A randomized controlled experiment with 202 Chinese university students (experimental group, perspective-taking group: n = 102; control group: n = 100) was conducted. Weight stigma was measured pre- and post-intervention using the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test. The study employed a 2 × 2 mixed design with ANCOVA and mediation analysis. Results The experimental group showed significantly lower post-test weight stigma when controlling for pre-test scores (F(1, 199) = 25.69, p < .001). Perspective-taking engagement was significantly higher in the experimental group (t = 3.13, p = .002). Common ingroup identity negatively correlated with post-test weight stigma (r = -.28, p < .001) but did not significantly mediate the perspective-taking and weight stigma reduction relationship. Conclusion Perspective-taking effectively reduces weight stigma among Chinese university students, contributing to stigma reduction strategies in university settings. Further research on underlying mechanisms is warranted.

The influence of group categorization and common ingroup identity on malevolent creativity, benevolent creativity, and neutral creativity

Türkiye, which has hosted the largest number of refugees in recent years, requires remedial intervention programs to facilitate adaptation and coexistence. The irony of harmony studies that guide these interventions seem incomplete due to limited sample characteristics and a lack of attention to personality traits. Hence, we aimed to explore relationships between personality traits, identification with common ingroup identity, and support for social policies toward refugees by sampling the advantaged majority and the disadvantaged largest minority in Türkiye across two correlational studies (Ntotal = 772). In Study 1, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, narcissism, and psychopathy were associated with support for positive social policies. On the other hand, neuroticism was linked with support for negative social policies. However, when identification with common ingroup identity was included in the model, the significance of personality traits in almost all models disappeared, indicating that only the prediction of identification with common ingroup identity remained. The findings of Study 2 replicated and extended the previous result by sampling disadvantaged group members. We suggest that it may be more effective to focus on intergroup variables rather than personality traits to strengthen support for refugee policies, as the overall findings pointed out.

This study aims to examine the relation between an individual’s local identity and the inclusion toward social minorities, exploring on the moderating effect of social participation. Applying Social Identity theory, this study provides empirical evidence on whether local identity expresses as a common in-group identity. Using data set from the ‘Social integration survey’ on 2023, this study shows the following results; (1) local identity(sense of belonging) and social inclusion toward social minorities shows a negative relation; (2) local participation out of bonding participation has positive moderating effect on social inclusiveness, while alumni association has non-significant effect; (3) bridging participation has positive moderating effect on social minority. These results suggest that it is necessary to consider the attributes of social participation as well as individual’s sense of belonging toward local community, in order to enhance social inclusion for social minority groups.

Abstract A superordinate identity that emphasizes the shared bond between people of different groups can have beneficial outcomes according to the theoretical argument of the common ingroup identity model. Unlike previous research that focuses on a single superordinate identity, we simultaneously study two superordinate identities: local identity (identification with the neighborhood) and national identity (identification with the country of residence). Our study is set in two ethnically heterogenous and low‐income neighborhoods in Sweden. Based on four waves of panel survey data, we find that both types of superordinate identities are associated with increases in interpersonal and institutional trust. The identities have distinct consequences, however. Local identity is related to local trust and national identity to national trust. These results are based on within‐individual variation. Since high trust generally has a range of positive consequences, our results point to an approach at improving communities that are often in much need of it. We observe low correlation between the two superordinate identities and high convergent and discriminant validity of the concepts. Our results may be relevant to similar neighborhoods that exist across Europe.

Democrats and Republicans increasingly demonstrate negative intergroup attitudes, posing a threat to bipartisan progress. Based on the Common Ingroup Identity Model, people from different political groups can simultaneously identify with a superordinate group, such as a national identity. This has the potential to ameliorate negative intergroup attitudes, though high levels of national identity are also associated with authoritarianism and intolerance. How can a common national identity improve relations between Democrats and Republicans? In this observational study (N = 1,272), Democrats and Republicans differed in how they defined what it means to be American, and higher American identity was related to more positive attitudes toward members of the other party. Most importantly, this relationship was moderated by participants' definition of what it means to be “American,” regardless of party or political orientation. Those who defined what it means to be American in more restrictive terms (i.e., U.S.-born, English-speaking, and Christian) reported less positive attitudes toward members of the other political party as their identification as an American became stronger. Taken together, our results suggest that strengthening national identity might be key to improving attitudes between Democrats and Republicans, as long as this identity is inclusive.

Abstract A superordinate identity unites different subgroups into an overarching, common one. But does superordinate identification then improve or worsen attitudes towards the former outgroup? The common ingroup identity model (CIIM) asserts that recategorization ameliorates outgroup bias by reducing perceptions of intergroup threat. It predicts that superordinate identification will improve intergroup relations by promoting tolerance and acceptance of diversity. In contrast, the ingroup project model (IPM) asserts that identifying superordinately will actually exacerbate outgroup bias because ingroup members naturally project their own characteristics onto the superordinate category and will more strongly dislike the former outgroup for not fitting the “correct” superordinate prototype. Existing evidence—largely drawn from psychology lab experiments, not real‐world situations—suggests both models can be correct insofar as ingroup projection only occurs under certain conditions. In that case, which model is correct for European identity? Results from original survey data collected in three European countries (Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom) show that increased identification with Europe is almost always associated with more favorable attitudes towards outgroup immigrants, even among those most likely to engage in ingroup projection. Future research should continue to investigate when and why this inclusivity does—and does not—hold.

PurposeThis study explores how businesses can effectively market functional and emotional benefits through virtual corporate social responsibility co-creation (VCSRC) initiatives. The aim is to enhance customer engagement through these initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThe initial phase of this study involved recruiting 185 Chinese university students as participants. These individuals were randomly distributed into four distinct experimental groups, each designed to investigate the influence of varied marketing appeals and common in-group identity (CIGI) on consumer engagement willingness. This phase also sought to elucidate the mediating role of CSR associations in these dynamics. Following this, the second study engaged 570 individuals, recruited through “Credamo,” for a group-based experiment. This subsequent phase was intended to validate the findings of the preliminary study and explore the varying intensities of interaction between different marketing appeals and CIGI, with a particular focus on the dichotomy of independent and interdependent self-construals.FindingsThe study delineates a detailed relationship between consumers' willingness to participate in VCSRC, marketing appeals, and common in-group identity, revealing that strong common in-group identity correlates with a preference for functional appeals, while a weaker in-group identity inclines towards emotional appeals. Notably, interdependent self-construal significantly influences consumer responses, intensifying the interaction between in-group identity and marketing appeal and thereby influencing participation willingness. Moreover, CSR associations emerge as key mediators in this interaction, underscoring their role in enhancing the effectiveness of VCSRC strategies. These insights provide a new understanding of the crucial impact of consumer identity traits on marketing strategy efficacy.Originality/valueThis research stands as a trailblazing endeavor in evaluating the effects of varied advertising appeals under the VCSR paradigm. It probes into the foundational mechanisms, leveraging insights from interaction alignment theory and persuasion theory to elucidate the processes involved.

In the context of interreligious group relations, grassroots society tends to demonstrate adaptation strategies to promote harmonious social living. Based on the social identity perspective, such conditions encompass the dynamic process in which diverse religious group identities are endorsed within a coherent superordinate identity. This study explores the dynamics of integration as a strategy to maintain religious harmony. A qualitative case study was conducted in a rural community with diverse religious groups in Central Java. Data were gathered through participative observations, semi-structured interviews, casual conversations, and document analysis. We employed an abductive strategy to analyze the rich empirical materials gathered. The findings reveal the integrative construction of a common ingroup identity, that embraces the essence of unity in diversity. As a strong common ingroup identity indicates, it requires the development of a transcendent identity at the subgroup level. This process encourages a positive orientation towards others to preserve equality among groups. Of utmost importance, this integration most likely plays a pivotal role in addressing both social harmony and social tension. This study highlights that the strategy of integration is explained through the formation of an inclusive common ingroup identity, that illustrates the node of bonding and bridging for existing religious groups to live together.