Perceived Entitativity Moderates the Effect of Perceived Competence on Intergroup Forgiveness

Abstract

Multiple factors influence the reconciliation process after an intergroup conflict. In this paper, we focused on the role of social cognition, in particular, stereotype content and entitativity. Across two studies we examined perceived entitativity of an offending group as a moderator in the effect of perceived competence on intergroup forgiveness. In Study 1, Hong Kong residents (N = 244) read a summary of the 2010 Manila Hostage Crisis. The participants then rated the extent to which they perceived Filipinos as warm, competent, and entitative, and the extent to which they forgave them for the incident. An ordinary least squares analysis revealed a significant interaction between competence and entitativity in the prediction of forgiveness. Simple slopes analysis of this interaction revealed that competence was positively associated with forgiveness when Filipinos were considered low in entitativity (1 SD below mean entitativity), B = .40, p = .03, but not when they were considered high in entitativity (1 SD above mean entitativity), B = -.06, p = .70. In Study 2, we experimentally manipulated the perceived entitativity of Filipino officials. Participants were randomly assigned to read a passage that described Filipino officials as highly cohesive (high entitativity condition; n = 52) or lacking cohesion (low entitativity condition; n = 51). Following the entitativity manipulation, participants were reminded of the Manila Hostage Crisis and read an apology ostensibly provided by Filipino officials. Participants then completed measures of entitativity, warmth, competence, and forgiveness. An ordinary least squares analysis revealed a significant interaction between competence and entitativity in the prediction of forgiveness. Simple slopes analysis revealed that competence was positively associated with forgiveness in the low entitativity condition, B = .85, p = .07, but not in the high entitativity condition, B = -.14, p = .61. We discuss these results in terms of the potential influence of group perception on intergroup reconciliation.