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Victim and Perpetrator Groups' Responses to the C anadian Government's Apology for the Head Tax on C hinese Immigrants and the Moderating Influence of Collective Guilt
Author(s) -
Wohl Michael J. A,
Matheson Kimberly,
Branscombe Nyla R.,
Anisman Hymie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
political psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.419
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-9221
pISSN - 0162-895X
DOI - 10.1111/pops.12017
Subject(s) - forgiveness , sincerity , social psychology , psychology , perception , government (linguistics) , ingroups and outgroups , linguistics , philosophy , neuroscience
E uropean and C hinese C anadians' perceptions and expectations of the C anadian government's apology for the head tax placed on C hinese immigrants during the early twentieth century were examined, along with C hinese C anadians' willingness to forgive the transgression. Among both E uropean and C hinese C anadians, beliefs about the importance attributed to the event and perception of the apology as deserved and sincere heightened expectations of improved intergroup relations. Collective guilt acceptance among E uropean C anadians heightened the relation between perceived sincerity and positive expectations, whereas collective guilt assignment by C hinese C anadians heightened the relation between sincerity and forgiveness. A one‐year follow‐up of whether C hinese C anadians were equally satisfied with the apology indicated that their willingness to grant forgiveness had waned, and although on the whole expectations of improved relations were met, those who assigned more collective guilt were less convinced. Intergroup apologies and their effectiveness at facilitating intergroup relations are discussed.