Understanding Symbols of Division in Post-conflict Northern Ireland

Abstract

This chapter seeks to explore how group division in Northern Ireland is perpetuated through contrasting narratives and symbols, which support differing views of key historical events. These group based explanations and symbols serve to boost the social identity of group members by making them feel better about their own group at the expense of the out-group. The chapter begins with a description of 'the flag protest' which illustrates the key features of a contested symbol within Northern Ireland. We provide the reader with a contextual background which explains some of the main factors which underpin and sustain these group differences in perceptions. The first of these factors is the configuring segregation of the two main religious communities, which remains a key environmental constraint on the development of better intergroup relations. We outline the importance of group membership and group categorization within Northern Ireland. The ability of group members to use a range of learned cues to reliably identify in-group from out-group members is described. Thirdly, we outline how group perceptions are shaped by group attributions, allowing out-group violence to be viewed in different ways than in-group violence and how this process allows groups to construct different group based explanations for historical events. Group biases of this type allow different versions of contested events to be portrayed in ways which support the in-group and disadvantage the out-group. Having suggested how group positions can be supported through intergroup attributions we examine evidence which suggests that parents and groups in Northern Ireland play a central role in transmitting these group attitudes to the next generation. The final section outlines research into intergroup contacts and cross group friendships outshining a way in which group based positions can be moderated within a divided society. The authors argue that there is a need to move beyond a focus on old divisive symbols and outline alternative positive symbols which both religious groups can support to help create a more peaceful future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)