Intergroup emotions: Explaining offensive action tendencies in an intergroup context.

TLDR

The study examined whether salient social identity triggers group‑based appraisals that produce distinct emotions and action tendencies toward out‑groups. Participants had their group memberships highlighted and in‑group support assessed, after which emotions (anger, fear, contempt) and offensive or avoidance action tendencies toward out‑groups were measured. Results showed that intergroup anger, not fear, predicted a desire to act against out‑groups, and this offensive tendency was mediated by anger and amplified when the in‑group was perceived as strong.

Abstract

Three studies tested the idea that when social identity is salient, group-based appraisals elicit specific emotions and action tendencies toward out-groups. Participants' group memberships were made salient and the collective support apparently enjoyed by the in-group was measured or manipulated. The authors then measured anger and fear (Studies 1 and 2) and anger and contempt (Study 3), as well as the desire to move against or away from the out-group. Intergroup anger was distinct from intergroup fear, and the inclination to act against the out-group was distinct from the tendency to move away from it. Participants who perceived the in-group as strong were more likely to experience anger toward the out-group and to desire to take action against it. The effects of perceived in-group strength on offensive action tendencies were mediated by anger.