Victim Consciousness Research Articles

“Teach us to feel proud of all of our identities”: Time and space in an American queer Jewish liturgy

AbstractSince the late 1960s, the American Jewish community has worked to find creative ways to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) people in community practices and Jewish liturgy. The pioneering egalitarian denomination was and remains the Reform Jewish Movement, which promotes and supports gender equality and sexual diversity. This paper proposes a typology of queer Jewish liturgy based on classification into two categories: time and space. By exploring these specific categories, the texts expose a bipolar relationship between LGBTQ+s and divine individuals, LGBTQ+s and heterosexual/cisgender individuals, and LGBTQ+s and themselves. By analyzing particular queer prayers, I argue that this liturgy, created by American Jewish clergy, is characterized by inherent structural contradictions, which reflect tendencies and changes not only in non‐halachic Jewish communities but also in queer ideology and gay politics. Thus, the textual dimension is revealed as a vivid landscape that characterizes the dynamics of LGBTQ+ Jewish people between temporal, fragile, and safe spaces, painful memories and proud feelings, and victim consciousness and social agency.

Comparative Psychological Content Analysis of Collective Victimhood in Hungarian National Narratives Among Emigrant and Non-Emigrant Groups

Present research aims to identify narrative markers of victimization comparing narratives of emigrant Hungarians in the UK and non-emigrant Hungarians. 121 interviews were collected and analyzed via automatic content analysis software (NarrCat). 54 non-emigrant Hungarians and 67 emigrant Hungarians participated in our sample (average age: 45.65, 71,5% female). Our research has proven that victimization has narrative markers (low agency and psychological perspective taking and increased amount of negative evaluation) that can be identified in narratives related to individual path and national history. MANOVA analysis showed that more narrative markers of victimization can be found in the narratives of non-emigrants while more agency is observable in the narratives of emigrants. The result of narrative analysis was underlined by the fact that emigration also had significant effect on perceived importance of past victimization. Our conclusion suggests that differences can be observed in the construction of narratives and consequently in the interpretation of perceived collective victim consciousness of emigrant and non-emigrant groups.

Tortured Freedom

Abstract Political prisoners in the Islamic Republic of Iran are tortured to the point that they may be psychologically broken, confess to something against their will, and actively bring degrading effects upon themselves. Phenomenologists maintain that consciousness is thoroughly intertwined with the body. It is not that we have bodies but that we are our bodies. In light of this position, torturing the body thus allows the torturer to break the consciousness and freedom of the tortured. How can tortured individuals stand up again as authentic and free agents after their forced confessions? I will examine the relationship between tortured confessions and human freedom, basing my examination on the experiences of Iranian political activists. I argue that, although the victim's consciousness has been manipulated, the victim's freedom is as intact as it was before the tortured confession.

헝가리의 반유대주의와 홀로코스트 기억 논쟁

Hungarians' perceptions and debates about the Holocaust show diversified aspects through the socialist period and the period after the transition of the socialist system. Hungarian victim consciousness, or collective perception, which can be called victimhood, lies at the base of Hungarian consciousness, and this consciousness is consumed for political purposes by Hungarian politicians and mass media. By combining the narrative of Hungarian alienation and loneliness with nationalism, the extreme logic advocated by the Hungarian far-right appeared. It is Hungarian nationalism that is used as a nutrient to lead this trend. However, in fact, Hungarian nationalism is also likely to be a fictional phenomenon. Nationalist tendencies in Hungary have grown stronger since the transition in 1989 and are still a highly favored political tool today. For this reason, the Jewish victims are regarded as a 'unitary group' and regarded by nationalist Hungarians as a 'common enemy'. Hungarian right-wing politicians are using this narrative to acquire and maintain power. After all, emphasizing the victimhood of Hungarians using nationalism, which is a very attractive tool for politicians, is a worrisome aspect in that it promotes the revival of the anti-Semitic movement and the fading and contempt of memories of the Holocaust.

МАНІПУЛЯТИВНІ СТРАТЕГІЇ «ГАЗЛАЙТИНГ» ТА «ПОСТІЙНЕ РОЗЧАРУВАННЯ»У КОМУНІКАЦІЇНЕГАТИВНИХ ПЕРСОНАЖІВ РОМАНУ А.МАНДЗОНІ «ЗАРУЧЕНІ»

The manipulative strategies of "gaslighting" and "constant disappointment" in the communication of negative characters in A. Manzoni's novel "Betrothed" are analyzed. It has been established that implementation tactics of "gaslighting" are the imposition of value orientations with overemphasis and suggestions, while implementation tactics of "constant disappointment" are devaluation, distancing, emotional pressure, threats. The perlocutionary effect of using manipulative strategies "gaslighting" and "constant disappointment" is the resultant force of influence of mentioned tactics. Each of these tactics has specific linguistic markers of expression; however, all the tactics are interrelated. The manipulator's speech is characterized by using of prescriptive-directive speech acts that introduce values imposed by the manipulator, prohibitive-directive speech acts that realize value reorientation of the victim, suggestives that accentuate imposed values, and menasives being their functional purpose intimidating the victim and destabilizing her psycho-emotional sphere. Language means of expression the tactics of manipulative strategies "gaslighting" and "constant disappointment" are characterized by the following features: exaggerated negative evaluation of the victim "una rea, un'indegna, una scomunicata"; verbalization of neglecting the victim: "veniva corrisposta con uno sguardo sprezzante" "corrisposta con una noncuranza manifesta"; lexical units to indicate the physical isolation of the victim in a closed space: "clausura... stretta e intera; monastero", verbalization of minimizing communication with the victim and ignoring her "l'abbandono in cui era lasiata", "o non attaccava, o veniva corrisposta con uno sguardo distratto"; lexical units of emotional semantics to indicate the emotional alienation of the manipulator and ignoring the victim's desire for emotional connection: "seri, tristi, burberi", "insisteva, e tentava di famigliarrizzarsi; lexical units of emotional semantics to denote insecurity, oppression, fear of the victim: "rimaneva poi umiliata, e sempre più afflitta, il terrore"; "sommessamente e tremando"; "uno sguardo tra atterrito e supplichevole". The produced perlocutionary effect as a result of manipulative strategies is explained by the victim's desire to avoid cognitive dissonance in her mind, which is caused by conflicting feelings, emotions, values. Verbal and non-verbal behavior of the victim of manipulations shows her helplessness and passive role in communication. A. Manzoni's use of synonymous series and tropes creates a semantic field of tension that reflects, on the one hand, the confrontation between manipulators and the victim, and on the other, cognitive dissonance in the victim's consciousness. Мanzoni created synonymous series for the designation of the victim of manipulations that reflect doom «la nostra infelice», «povera innocentina», «sventurata» and hyperbolized negative evaluation of the victim by manipulators: «una rea», «un'indegna», «scomunicata». The other synonymous series are used for the designation of causation of will imposed by manipulator: «irrevocabilmente stabilita», «necessità fatale», «vocazione impostale» and for the designation of isolation of the victim: «prigionia – carceriera – guardiana – clausura – monastero». A.Manzoni uses metaphor «prigionia» and comparison «clausura era stretta e intera, come nel monastero» for the designation of Gertrude’s parents’ castle. Asyndeton is used by A. Manzoni, on the one hand, in the speech of manipulator for suggesting, on the other hand, to indicate cognitive dissonance in the mind of the victim overwhelmed by conflicting feelings. Gradation, on the one hand, is used in the speech of manipulators to increase pressure on the victim: «seri, tristi, burberi», on the other hand, to increase the emotional tension and state of despair of the victim: «un altro gastigo oscuro, indeterminato, e quindi più spaventoso». Antithesis is the trope par excellence for describing the confrontation between manipulators and the victims and is used: to denote asymmetric communication between manipulators and the victim: «una gran confidenza – l'abbandono»; to indicate cognitive dissonance in the victim's mind, which is caused by conflicting feelings, emotions and values: «il rimorso del fallo, e una tenerezza fantastica di divozione; l'orgoglio amareggiato e irritato». The use of antithesis with the second component being part of gradation produces reinforcing effect: «quel fantasma – seri, freddi, minacciosi». The main antithesis is the contradiction between what is desired and what is real, which the victim of manipulation finally realizes: «brillanti fantasie d'una volta – circostanze reali».

Feminist identification, inclusive victimhood and supporting outgroups

Our research demonstrates the key role of identity content— feminist, egalitarian, or nonfeminist— in predicting solidarity-based actions towards outgroup members among women with regards to the cognitive construals of victimization—victim consciousness. Perceived similarities with other victim groups—inclusive victim consciousness—may have positive effects on intergroup relations. Using an online large sample of women from Hungary (N = 772; SD = 11.54), we show that feminist identification is associated with higher levels of support for victimized outgroups. However, contrary to our expectations that inclusive victimhood would play a significant role, we identified an association between support for other groups and collective victim beliefs only with respect to the centrality of ingroup victimization. These results contribute to the emerging literature on collective victim beliefs and solidarity towards other victimized groups, suggesting that perceived relevance of victimization for own identity may be a more important link in terms of solidarity between victimized groups than emphasizing shared victimization over different identities that outgroups are formed over.

Solidarity in the Time of COVID-19: Refugee Experiences in Brazil

Refugees have adopted solidarity actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, even after being left behind during health emergencies. This article contributes to the literature on solidarity and asylum by discussing refugees’ solidarity narratives towards vulnerable Brazilian groups, the refugee community, and the Brazilian population in general. The author conducted 29 in-depth semi-structured interviews with refugees living in Brazil between March 27 and April 6, 2020. Refugees’ past suffering experiences make them more empathic to other people’s suffering due to the pandemic, which creates an inclusive victim consciousness that seems to explain their solidarity narratives towards different groups.

Shared disadvantage as a determinant of the relationship between White Americans’ socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic prejudice

AbstractThe present studies examined the conditions under which low subjective socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with greater racial/ethnic prejudice among White Americans. Using theories of intergroup threat and inclusive victim consciousness, we predicted that describing racial/ethnic minorities as disadvantaged (vs. as competitive or in neutral terms) would increase empathy and reduce prejudice among White Americans who consider themselves low in SES. Study 1 provided correlational evidence that White Americans who perceived themselves as low‐SES (but not high‐SES) were less prejudiced against racial/ethnic minorities the more they perceived minorities as disadvantaged. In Study 2, portraying the target outgroup (Arab immigrants) as disadvantaged increased outgroup empathy, and in turn reduced prejudice, among participants induced to think of themselves as low‐SES. Study 3 conceptually replicated these results using a different outgroup (Mexican Americans) and a behavioral measure of prejudice. Implications for reducing prejudice among White Americans of different socioeconomic backgrounds are discussed.

Perceived Stress, Personality Traits, and State of Victim's Consciousness: Impact on Tourniquet Application Time and Effectiveness.

One of the main avoidable causes of combat-related injury death is extremity hemorrhage. Even with regular training, failure to properly apply a tourniquet is common. In this study, we sought to assess if rescuer's stress and personality traits, along with victim's state of consciousness, had a role to explain tourniquet application failure. Eighty-seven soldiers completed a sociodemographic and personality questionnaire (perceived stress, active altruism, mindfulness, and empathy) during a forward combat casualty care course. Then, they underwent a leg hemorrhage simulation on a randomly conscious or unconscious victim. Tourniquet application time and effectiveness (using popliteal artery Doppler) were recorded. Tourniquet application effective rate was 37% and soldiers with higher levels of perceived stress were at greater risk of failure, especially on a conscious victim. Participants who deployed overseas and those who have undergone combat rescue training were significantly quicker to apply a tourniquet. Altruist and empathetic caregivers were slower to apply the tourniquet while mindful ones were faster. Combat-related injuries, even simulated, not only involve the rescuer's technical skills but also their ability to deal with stressful external stimuli. Tourniquet application speed seems to be influenced by perceived stress and personality traits of the rescuers. Frequent failures justify repeated training, and one way to pursue improvement could be to develop a personalized pedagogy adapting to the needs of the students according to their current skillset but also their perceived stress and personality determinants. In the pedagogical process (planning, goal setting, teaching, and evaluating), the state of consciousness of the victim seems to be a parameter that needs to be accounted for, but further studies are required to accurately describe its influence.

Through the lens of history: The effects of beliefs about historical victimization on responses to refugees

In societies with collective memories of their group’s historical victimization, perceptions of this victimization are linked to attitudes and behaviors towards present-day victim groups such as refugees. We examine this idea in the Hungarian context, where collective memories of historical victimization include the fate of Hungarian refugees in 1956. In surveys among two Hungarian community samples, we find support for the hypothesis that exclusive regional victim consciousness predicts support for anti-refugee policies, while inclusive regional victim consciousness predicts support for pro-refugee policies. In Study 2, we replicate and extend these findings with a novel measure of event-specific victim consciousness (i.e., historical analogies between the two refugee situations). We show that event-specific victim consciousness mediates the effects of regional victim consciousness on attitudes towards refugees, and predicts prosocial behavior towards refugees.

The case for and causes of intraminority solidarity in support for reparations: Evidence from community and student samples in Canada

In three studies, we examined how racial/ethnic majority (i.e., White) and non-Indigenous minority participants in Canada responded to reparations for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Our goal was to understand whether and why there may be intraminority solidarity in this context. In Study 1, with a large, national survey (N = 1,947), we examined the extent to which participants agreed the government should be responsible for addressing human rights violations committed by previous governments as well as whether the government has done enough to address the wrongs committed against Indigenous peoples in Canada. With a sample of undergraduate students in Study 2 (N = 144) and another community sample in Study 3 (N = 233), we examined possible mediators of the relationship between ethnic status and support for reparations. Taken together, the results of three studies suggest that, compared to White majority Canadians, non-Indigenous minority Canadians were more supportive of providing reparations to Indigenous peoples through a complex chain of collective victimhood, inclusive victim consciousness, continued victim suffering, and solidarity.

Towards a ‘common’ view of difficult past? The representation of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in trilateral teaching materials

The centrality of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japanese collective memory has been often perceived by the country’s neighbours, i.e. the People’s Republic of China and South Korea, as a pillar of the country’s (alleged) ‘victim consciousness’ and amnesia in regard to the suffering inflicted on others. For this reason, the matter of how Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s fate is discussed on the pages of joint teaching materials is an interesting puzzle. The article uses two supplementary history teaching materials published within a framework of trilateral cooperation between non-governmental actors from the PRC, South Korea and Japan (History that Opens the Future [Mirai o hiraku rekishi] and The New Modern and Contemporary History of East Asia [Atarashi Higashi Ajia no kingendaishi]) as case studies to investigate how the fate and meaning of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are represented in the above-mentioned books. The article discusses traces of contestation and negotiation over the representation of the atomic bombings emerging from relevant descriptions, and the extent to which the narrative on Japanese wartime suffering is included in these materials. The findings concerning the atomic bombings are discussed in relation to broader topic of reconciliation and alleviating the burden of wartime past in East Asia for the purpose of building peaceful future.

Victim Consciousness Among Youth and Their Responses to Violent Encounters.

This study examines how youth interpret potentially violent encounters, their own identity as victims, and their responses to dangerous situations. The purpose is to understand when "victimization" does or does not lead to a violent response and how individuals negotiate risky situations. Qualitative interviews from 147 youth, aged 12 to 23 across three high-crime neighborhoods in Philadelphia, were examined. Of these youth, 86 individuals described 136 encounters with violent or threatening situations. Coding examined themes in youth perceptions of these encounters, as well as their responses. Three themes emerged in the youth's accounts: youth as victims, youth as street smart, and youth action as self-defense. Youth's understanding of risk and situational dynamics of the encounter shaped their perceptions of violent incidents and consequently if they responded with violence or used other strategies such as help seeking, avoidance, negotiation, or tolerance. Youth's understanding of victimhood should be considered in research on the victim-offender overlap and generally in youth violence studies. Implications for the victim-offender overlap include incorporating a more nuanced perspective on social distance and power dynamics as understood by victims. Implications for policy include providing culturally sensitive violence reduction models and victim services that account for youth's own understanding of their experiences.

Inclusive victim consciousness predicts minority group members’ support for refugees and immigrants

AbstractWhat motivates minority group members to support other minorities, rather than compete for resources? We tested whether inclusive victim consciousness —i.e., perceived similarities between the ingroup's and outgroups’ collective victimization—predicts support for other minority groups; and whether personal and family experiences of group‐based victimization moderate these effects. Study 1 was conducted among members of historically oppressed groups in India. As hypothesized, inclusive victim consciousness predicted support for refugees. Personal experiences of group‐based victimization moderated this effect. Conceptually replicating these findings, in Study 2 (among Vietnamese Americans, mostly second‐generation immigrants) inclusive victim consciousness predicted less hostility toward other refugees and immigrants, and greater perceived responsibility to help victims of collective violence. This effect was moderated by family experiences of victimization.

Effect of mother’s lifestyle in mother victim consciousness and nurture behavior

Effect of mother’s lifestyle in mother victim consciousness and nurture behavior

Transnationalism and the Evolution of Post-National Citizenship in Japan

This article argues that transnational activism has been an important factor in both the evolution of Japanese civil society and the identity formation of civil society actors over the past half century. It reconsiders the Japanese experience in light of recent theorisations on deterritorialised and transnational citizenships which challenge the monopoly of the national state in defining civic identity by proposing novel alternatives based on cross-border affiliations among non-state actors. Different from existing endogenous and institutional explanations of the emergence and development of civil society in Japan, the article highlights the transformative impact of activists’ transnational activities. Until around the late 1960s Japanese activists tended to imagine their situation within a framework of victimised citizens versus a pernicious alliance of the state and industry. The state and corporations were the aggressors and citizens were always the victims. But transnational engagements in the anti-Vietnam War and environmental movements disrupted such assumptions, forcing activists to rethink their victimisation status and consider their complicity in the actions of the Japanese state and industry abroad. The result was an enriched and more broad-minded conceptualisation of post-national citizenship in which victim consciousness was tempered by a concern for those beyond the borders of Japan. This transnational sensitivity in turn contributed to the maturation of Japanese civil society.

Inclusive Victim Consciousness in Advocacy, Social Movements, and Intergroup Relations: Promises and Pitfalls

While researchers and policy makers often focus their attention on the detrimental consequences of collective victimhood, it has been posited that these negative outcomes are linked to particular construals of the ingroup's victimization: namely those that focus on the uniqueness of these experiences (exclusive victim consciousness). In contrast, perceived similarities across victim groups (inclusive victim consciousness) may be associated with more positive outcomes, including victim groups assisting and advocating for each other or engaging in joint collective action. Drawing on social psychological research and real‐world cases, this review provides examples of inclusive victim consciousness in several policy‐relevant domains. A distinction is made between conflict‐specific and general inclusive victim consciousness. Additionally, motivations for expressing inclusive victim consciousness are discussed that vary in their degree of ingroup‐ versus outgroup‐concern. Factors are suggested that may promote or decrease inclusive victim consciousness, including steps that can be taken by policy makers and practitioners. Finally, potential challenges and risks involved in attempts to promote inclusive victim consciousness are discussed.

How to Break Free of the Drama Triangle and Victim Consciousness

How to Break Free of the Drama Triangle and Victim Consciousness

The Role of Inclusive and Exclusive Victim Consciousness in Predicting Intergroup Attitudes: Findings from Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC

The present research examined the differential relationship between distinct construals of collective victimhood—specifically, inclusive and exclusive victim consciousness—and intergroup attitudes in the context and aftermath of mass violence. Three surveys in Rwanda (N = 842), Burundi (N = 1,074), and Eastern DRC (N = 1,609) provided empirical support for the hypothesis that while exclusive victim consciousness predicts negative intergroup attitudes, inclusive victim consciousness is associated with positive, prosocial intergroup attitudes. These findings were significant when controlling for age, gender, urban/rural residence, education, personal victimization, and ingroup superiority. Additionally, exclusive victim consciousness mediated the effects of ingroup superiority on negative intergroup attitudes. These findings have important theoretical implications for research on collective victimhood as well as practical implications for intergroup relations in regions emerging from violent conflict.

Interpreting rights and duties after mass violence

In our age of human rights, there has been an increased focus not only on the rights of people and collectives harmed through mass atrocities and other injustices, but also on the duty to redress this harm. Building on Passini’s (2011) call for an integration of rights and duties through responsibility, I argue that movements in this direction are already underway. This integration follows, for example, from growing recognition of the complexity in victim and perpetrator roles. Another way in which integration of rights and duties in the aftermath of mass violence has occurred is through alternative meanings of ingroup victimization drawn by victim groups throughout the world. Specifically, based on a sense of inclusive victim consciousness, some have expressed and advocated perceived responsibility to ensure rights for other victim groups as well. This phenomenon is an example of the moral inclusion and focus on responsibility that Passini (2011) argues is necessary in our age of human rights. Examples of moral inclusion among victim groups are reviewed and limitations are discussed, as well as conditions that might inhibit or facilitate a sense of moral responsibility to go beyond individual and ingroup rights and protect others from harm and injustice.