What happens when groups say sorry?

Intergroup apologies have been provided as reparation
for all manner of offences from genocidal massacres
to prejudicial government policies. Yet, for each
circumstance in which apologies are offered, there
are others in which apologies are not given though
victim groups demand them. The frequency of
intergroup apologies and requests suggests that these
are important and not without cost. Yet, little is
known of the actual effectiveness of intergroup
apologies for victim groups. This research represents
an attempt to answer this question.
Surveys assessing awareness of Japan''s apologies for
World War II were conducted in Australia, the
Philippines and Malaysia. A series of laboratory
experiments were also conducted to establish if
significant differences in forgiveness arise after
the delivery of an apology. Taken together, the
results give a measured view of the usefulness of
intergroup apologies in promoting intergroup
forgiveness.

Autorentext

Dr. Philpot has a background in social and clinical psychology.Her interest in intergroup apologies and forgiveness is a productof her times. Coming of age as an academic at a time when callsfor an apology to the Australian Aboriginal Stolen Generationsgrew to a crescendo, her work seeks to understand what roleapologies play between groups.

Klappentext

Intergroup apologies have been provided as reparationfor all manner of offences from genocidal massacresto prejudicial government policies. Yet, for eachcircumstance in which apologies are offered, thereare others in which apologies are not given thoughvictim groups demand them. The frequency ofintergroup apologies and requests suggests that theseare important and not without cost. Yet, little isknown of the actual effectiveness of intergroupapologies for victim groups. This research representsan attempt to answer this question.Surveys assessing awareness of Japan's apologies forWorld War II were conducted in Australia, thePhilippines and Malaysia. A series of laboratoryexperiments were also conducted to establish ifsignificant differences in forgiveness arise afterthe delivery of an apology. Taken together, theresults give a measured view of the usefulness ofintergroup apologies in promoting intergroupforgiveness.