Abstract:

Factors affecting the effectiveness of inter-group apology are manifold. For perpetrator groups, an effective inter-group apology needs to include admitting mistakes, taking responsibility, expressing regret, making commitments, etc. in verbal expressions. Simultaneously, perpetrator groups should consider behavior strategies of the inter-group apology, as well as the impact from the internal motivation behind the apology on their verbal expressions and behaviors. For victim groups, the effectiveness of the perpetrator- group’s apology lies in the fact that the apology itself eases the fury, meets the victim group’s psychological needs for self-esteem and expectations, and meanwhile is subject to the moderation of perceptual degree of sincere apology. Additionally, an inter-group apology will also be affected by the quality of inter-group relations, the degree of conflict, cultural beliefs, and other external factors. In future studies, it should be attempted to integrate the process mechanisms of group apology, to enrich the inspection indexes of the effectiveness of group apology, and to allow apologies to play an active role in the area of social life.

Key words: apology, inter-group apology, group damage, inter-group relationship