Outcome focus determines whether advantaged groups feel guilt or sympathy.

Evidence

In Chapter 14, Iyer et al. consider an important prerequisite for collective guilt, perceiving the ingroup as systematically advantaged. To the extent that White Americans do perceive their group as advantaged, they will be more likely to oppose racial inequality and be more willing to make restitution to African-Americans for the enslavement that was endured. The research indicates that depending on which group is focused on, it can result in rather different emotional experiences and behavioral tendencies. Focusing on the ingroup’s role in producing the inequality can induce collective guilt, whereas a focus on the harm experienced by the disadvantaged group results in sympathy. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 111

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Group status determines whether advantage or disadvantage thoughts produce distress — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 438; Perceived group responsibility for inequity produces collective guilt — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 441; Framing attachment around ideals rather than current traits raises group-based guilt. — Sonia Roccas and Yechiel Klar and Ido Liviatan, The Paradox of Group-Based Guilt: Modes…, 128 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Advantaged groups avoid guilt by denying inequality or dodging responsibility #complicates (0.79) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 1844
• Framing attachment around ideals rather than current traits raises group-based guilt. #exemplifies (0.78) — Sonia Roccas and Yechiel Klar and Ido Liviatan, The Paradox of Group-Based Guilt, 128
• Group-protective self-interest biases fairness judgments and suppresses collective guilt among the highly identified #qualifies (0.78) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 451
• Perceiving a group’s wrongdoing as situationally justifiable blocks collective guilt #qualifies (0.78) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 297
• Ambiguity in harm perceptions lets dominant groups minimize inequality and ease their collective guilt. #exemplifies (0.77) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 592
• Acknowledging group privilege triggers collective rather than individual guilt #exemplifies (0.76) — Janet K. Swim and Deborah L. Miller, White Guilt, 25
• Perceived group responsibility for inequity produces collective guilt #expands (0.75) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 441
• Positive emotions like pity can reinforce group inequality by casting groups as incompetent #complicates (0.74)
• Guilt motivates corrective actions while shame triggers defensive reactions to inequality #complicates (0.72) — Janet K. Swim and Deborah L. Miller, White Guilt, 137