Challenges to Traditional Narratives of Intractable Conflict Decrease Ingroup Glorification

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Conflict Resolution Studies
• Peacebuilding Research

Background:

• Conflict narratives shape group identity and can promote violence through defensive glorification.
• Traditional narratives often focus on ingroup victimization, neglecting the adversary's suffering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if inclusive narratives, acknowledging suffering from both ingroup and adversarial groups, can reduce glorification.
• To examine the impact of inclusive narratives on support for retributive justice, militaristic policies, and reconciliation.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments were conducted with Israeli Jews and Americans.
• Participants read either inclusive narratives or narratives dismissing outgroup suffering.
• Measures included levels of glorification, support for retributive justice, militaristic policies, and reconciliation.

Main Results:

• Reading inclusive narratives significantly reduced glorification compared to narratives dismissing outgroup suffering.
• Inclusive narratives indirectly weakened support for retributive justice and militaristic policies.
• Inclusive narratives strengthened support for reconciliation, particularly among individuals highly invested in glorification and attachment.

Conclusions:

• Alternative, inclusive conflict narratives can mitigate glorification by challenging ingroup-centric victimization.
• These narratives offer a pathway to reduce support for violence and foster reconciliation in protracted conflicts.
• Inclusive narratives are a promising tool for moving societies beyond intractable conflicts toward sustainable peace.