The interactive effect of common ingroup identity and stereotypic perceptions on outgroup admiration and intergroup...

It is difficult to see outgroup members as admirable allies, although it could help mitigate persistent intergroup conflicts. Building on previous research on intergroup stereotypes and social identity theories, the current study investigated a three-way interaction between perceived warmth and competence of the outgroup, and a common ingroup identity, on the outgroup admiration in the context of the South and North Korea conflict. We conducted a nationwide survey with 500 South Koreans. The results indicated that participants who viewed outgroup members (i.e., North Koreans) as both warm and competent exhibited greater admiration for the outgroup. Importantly, this pattern was significant only for individuals with a strong common ingroup identity, rather than those with a weak identity. Outgroup admiration, which in turn positively predicted reconciliatory attitudes between the ingroup and the outgroup, mediated the interactive effect of stereotypical perceptions and common ingroup identity on reconciliatory attitudes. We highlight the catalytic role of common ingroup identity in shaping the relationship between stereotypical perceptions, outgroup admiration, and reconciliatory attitudes within intergroup intractable conflict.