Group-Based Emotions and Support for Reparations: A Meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Intergroup Relations
• Conflict Resolution

Background:

• Victim groups often seek restitution after intergroup harm.
• Perpetrator group members' responses to restitution claims are influenced by emotions like guilt, shame, and anger.
• These emotions stem from perceptions of ingroup wrongdoing and victim disadvantage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To meta-analytically investigate the relationship between group-based guilt, shame, and anger and support for reparations.
• To define reparations as symbolic or material policies addressing historical injustices.
• To examine potential moderators influencing these relationships.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis synthesizing 101 effect sizes from 58 samples (N = 10,305).
• Calculation of an overall effect size for the relationship between group-based emotions and reparations support.
• Moderator analyses to explore factors influencing the strength of these relationships.

Main Results:

• A strong overall positive relationship (r = .44) was found between group-based emotions and support for reparations.
• No significant differences were observed in the predictive power of guilt, shame, and anger.
• Moderator analyses indicated that the strength of these relationships varied based on the type of reparation and victim group (e.g., Indigenous peoples).

Conclusions:

• Group-based guilt, shame, and anger are significant predictors of support for reparations.
• The specific context, including the nature of reparations and the identity of the victim group, influences the strength of these emotional predictors.
• Further research is needed to differentiate the nuances of these emotions and contextual factors in intergroup reparation contexts.