Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

5-2019

Abstract

Essentialism, a fundamental belief of the fixedness of social group essences, is often associated with negative intergroup outcomes. However, research is yet to explore the role of essentialism in intergroup conflicts, despite their prevalence. To address this gap, we conducted the first direct examination on how essentialism influences conflict management toward out-group members. Moreover, we examined perspective-taking as a positive factor in improving conflict management among essentialist individuals relative to their non-essentialist counterparts in intergroup contexts. Results across three experiments provided little support to the negative effect of essentialism on intergroup (vs. intragroup) conflict management. Yet, we found that perspective-taking promoted the use of problem solving and improved one’s own gain and the dyad’s joint gain among essentialist individuals, but not non-essentialist individuals, in intergroup (vs. intragroup) conflict situations. This research suggests that when coupled with perspective-taking, essentialism can promote constructive conflict resolution in intergroup contexts.

Keywords

essentialism, perspective-taking, intergroup conflict, conflict management, empathy

Discipline

Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Interaction

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology

Volume

50

Issue

4

First Page

483

Last Page

507

ISSN

0022-0221

Identifier

10.1177/0022022119835058

Publisher

SAGE Publications (UK and US)

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022119835058

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