TY - JOUR

T1 - (Not) Thinking about you

T2 - Differences in victims’ and perpetrators’ self-focus after interpersonal and intergroup transgressions

AU - Siem, Birte

AU - Barth, Markus

PY - 2019/8

Y1 - 2019/8

N2 - We tested the hypothesis that, following a transgression, victims and perpetrators differ in their focus of attention. In three studies (total N = 740), we manipulated participants’ social role (victim vs. perpetrator) in a hypothetical scenario (Studies 1 and 2) and in a perceived real conflict (Study 3) in an interpersonal (Studies 1 and 2) and an intergroup (Study 3) context. Results from all studies confirmed that victims show a stronger self-focus than perpetrators. Moreover, results suggest victims’ higher self-focus as a predictor of willingness to reconcile. Participants’ self-focus mediated the effect of social role on reconciliation intentions as a single mediator (Study 2), or in sequence with their motivation to consider the other party's needs (Study 3). Overall, the present research suggests that victims and perpetrators differ in their focus of attention, and that this difference has important theoretical and practical implications for reconciliation between individuals and between groups.

AB - We tested the hypothesis that, following a transgression, victims and perpetrators differ in their focus of attention. In three studies (total N = 740), we manipulated participants’ social role (victim vs. perpetrator) in a hypothetical scenario (Studies 1 and 2) and in a perceived real conflict (Study 3) in an interpersonal (Studies 1 and 2) and an intergroup (Study 3) context. Results from all studies confirmed that victims show a stronger self-focus than perpetrators. Moreover, results suggest victims’ higher self-focus as a predictor of willingness to reconcile. Participants’ self-focus mediated the effect of social role on reconciliation intentions as a single mediator (Study 2), or in sequence with their motivation to consider the other party's needs (Study 3). Overall, the present research suggests that victims and perpetrators differ in their focus of attention, and that this difference has important theoretical and practical implications for reconciliation between individuals and between groups.

KW - perpetrator

KW - reconciliation

KW - self-focus

KW - socio-emotional needs

KW - victim

KW - Social Work and Social Pedagogics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85065199848&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/ejsp.2584

DO - 10.1002/ejsp.2584

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85065199848

VL - 49

SP - 1007

EP - 1021

JO - European Journal of Social Psychology

JF - European Journal of Social Psychology

SN - 0046-2772

IS - 5

ER -