Parception of unfairness and intergroup support provision: The role of guilt feelings and attribution of responsibility

Abstract

This study examined how advantaged peoples' perception of unfairness leads to their intent to engage in intergroup support, focusing on the mediating roles of attribution of responsibility and guilt feelings. Data was obtained from 124 participants of a simulated society game named SIMINSOC (Simulated International Society, Hirose, 1997). The global society in the game included two rich regions and two poor regions, with the poor regions needing the support of the rich regions for their survival. Path analyses for participants assigned to the rich regions indicated that perception of unfairness led to attribution of responsibility for the predicament of the poor to the ingroup, evoking feelings of guilt. Furthermore, guilt feelings induced intent to interact friendly, further leading to intent to support. The likelihood that guilt feelings play a more vital role in promoting support in face-to-face interactions were discussed, and it was suggested that further investigation is needed to probe into causes of guilt feelings.View full abstract