Apologies fail to increase forgiveness but still shift perceptions of perpetrator groups

Evidence

Despite their overall ineffectiveness, several factors may increase the potential of apologies to promote forgiveness, such as the apology’s reference to the structural, relational, and identity aspects of intergroup reconciliation (i.e.,conveying a desire to restore equality,trust,and the victim group’s positive social identity; Nunney & Manstead 2021) or expressions of collective remorse by grassroots movements rather than official political leaders (Okimoto et al. 2019). Moreover, apologies may affect other outcomes, such as trust and positive outgroup attitudes (see Blatz & Philpot 2010). For example, research has shown that although apologies did not affect forgiveness levels, members of victim groups perceived the perpetrator group as more remorseful and were more satisfied with an apology than without it (Philpot & Hornsey 2008). — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations, 96

Categorization

• XREF: Directly reinforces the asymmetry claim in the reader’s synthesis — victim groups do not need apology-driven forgiveness; other outcomes matter more. — connects to: An apology restores victim status and affirms breached values simultaneously — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations:…, 78; Intergroup apologies and forgiveness function as a barter exchange of empowerment for moral acceptance. — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations:…, 72; Perceived insincere apologies backfire while unequivocal ones can advance peace. — Scott Atran, The Devoted Actor: Unconditional…, 42 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Intergroup apologies can make relations worse without preexisting trust. #expands (0.82) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 1487
• Reparations raise perpetrator groups’ moral standing and reduce intergroup tension #corroborates (0.78) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 725
• Perceived insincere apologies backfire while unequivocal ones can advance peace. #complicates (0.75) — Scott Atran, The Devoted Actor, 42
• Perpetrator and victim groups favor accepting versus assigning guilt #qualifies (0.72) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 152