ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2014, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (3): 522-529.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2014.00522

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On the Factors Influencing Intergroup Forgiveness

AI Juan   

  1. (Department of Psychology, Tian Jin University of Commerce, TianJin 300134, China)
  • Received:2013-07-23 Online:2014-03-15 Published:2014-03-15
  • Contact: AI Juan

Abstract:

Intergroup forgiveness is the psychological process characterized with a reduction of feelings of revenge, anger, and mistrust towards the past perpetrator group, together with an increase of intentions to understand, approach, and engage with its members. Recent studies mainly concentrated on influencing factors of intergroup forgiveness, including infra-humanization, competitive victimhood, group identification, anger, empathy, apology, and group contact. Different intervention strategies have been proposed to enhance the level of intergroup forgiveness and thus mitigate intergroup tensions. Further studies should explore the underlying psychological mechanism of intergroup forgiveness and construct indigenous intervention strategies htat are compatible with the groups’ own cultures.

Key words: forgiveness, intergroup forgiveness, group relationship