Citation

Noor M, Brown RJ, Prentice G. Br. J. Soc. Psychol. 2008; 47(Pt 3): 481-495.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK. m.noor@canterbury.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Wiley Blackwell)

DOI

10.1348/014466607X238751

PMID

17845736

Abstract

We examined social psychological factors contributing to the restoration of the intergroup relationship between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. A theoretical model of reconciliation orientation (ROM) was developed, with intergroup forgiveness and subjective evaluation of past violence as the main precursors of that orientation. Data from a Northern Irish sample (N=318) validated and extended the model. Forgiveness and evaluation of past violence were predicted by 'competitive victimhood' (a belief in having suffered more than the out-group), negatively and positively, respectively. These associations were fully accounted for by the strength of identification with the in-group and trust in the out-group. Empathy functioned mainly as a direct predictor of forgiveness. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Language: en