From Threat to Challenge: Understanding the Impact of Historical Collective Trauma on Contemporary Intergroup Conflict

Abstract

Collective memories of trauma can have profound impact on the affected individuals and communities. In the context of intergroup conflict, in the present article, we propose a novel theoretical framework to understand the long-term impact of historical trauma on contemporary intergroup relations from both victim and perpetrator perspectives. Integrating past research on intergroup conflict and the biopsychosocial model of threat and challenge, we argue that people appraise their group’s past victimization and perpetration differently, either as a threat or as a challenge. Shaped by contextual factors and individual differences, these differential appraisals will subsequently influence how group members respond to contemporary intergroup conflict, with both adaptive and maladaptive consequences. This model contributes to unifying the previous research that has shown diverse effects of historical trauma on present-day intergroup dynamics. We present preliminary empirical evidence in support of the framework and discuss its theoretical and practical implications.

When the specter of the past haunts current groups: Psychological antecedents of historical blame.

“…An analysis of the average levels of our predictors and historical blame in Studies 1 and 2 showed that victim and perpetrator groups differed on these variables in expected ways (Figures 4 and 5, ). These are in line with past literature on group differences in the construal of historical atrocities and trauma (Bilali & Vollhardt, 2019; Hirschberger, 2018; Li et al, 2023; Nelson et al, 2013; Shnabel & Nadler, 2008; Vollhardt & Bilewicz, 2013).…”

“…Some researchers have further suggested that motivation toward improving intergroup attitudes or contact might be disconnected from how people think about group blame and responsibility. Motivations concerning improving intergroup attitudes or contact may instead be driven by other goals such as power or needs of acceptance (Bilali & Vollhardt, 2019; Li et al, 2023; Mazziotta et al, 2014). In summary, these studies suggest but do not explicitly or directly test if connectedness of the perpetrator group over time might be related to historical blame judgments.…”

Neuropsychological Consequences of Massive Trauma: Implications and Clinical Interventions

“…Severe trauma produces a variety of lasting neuropsychological effects [8,10], particularly when it results in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals affected by trauma often exhibit deficits in basic cognitive functions, including attention and working memory.…”

“…Genocidal campaigns aimed at eliminating specific racial, ethnic, or cultural groups have caused untold suffering and loss of life around the world. The term "historical trauma" is used to describe the lasting effects of such genocides, which affect not only the direct victims but also generations of their descendants [8]. Memories of such catastrophic events often result in a state of perpetual vigilance within affected communities, serving as a safeguard against the potential recurrence of such violence.…”

The promise and limits of moral exemplars for intergroup conflict resolution and reconciliation

“…Violent intergroup conflicts often change into intractable ones. The constant existential uncertainty (Jonas & Fritsche, 2013), widespread conspiracy theories (Bilewicz, 2022; Hebel‐Sela et al, 2022), and paralyzing trauma‐generated threat (Li et al, 2023) all lead to perceptions of adversaries as homogeneous groups, forces of good and evil (Rudnev et al, 2020). This phenomenon, known as moral vitalism, has severe intergroup consequences, as it leads to further conflict escalations and support for more violent policies (Campbell & Vollhardt, 2014).…”