From moral disaster to moral entitlement – The impact of success in dealing with a perpetrator past on perceived ingroup morality and claims for historical closure

Abstract

Germany’s past is marked not only by the atrocities of the Holocaust, but also by a history of collective attempts to come to terms with these crimes. The present paper focuses on the previously rarely explored consequences of perceived success in dealing with a perpetrator past for the moral ingroup-image and the demand for an end to the discussion of this chapter of history (i.e., demand for historical closure). In one correlational study (N = 982) and three experimental studies (N = 904), we found robust evidence for a positive association between perceived success in dealing with the Nazi past and perceived ingroup morality. The results on the assumed influence of success on claims for historical closure, mediated by morality, were only partly supportive and inconsistent, particularly when controlling for political orientation and collective narcissism. However, final single-paper meta-analyses revealed a significant association between perceived ingroup morality and demand for historical closure (K = 5), as well as a small but significant effect of success (vs. failure) on demand for historical closure (K = 4), even when accounting for political orientation. Implications for understanding ethical self-views in historical perpetrator groups and recurring debates about a ‘Schlussstrich’ on the German Nazi past are discussed.

Too great to be guilty? Individuals high in collective narcissism demand closure regarding the past to attenuate collective guilt

“…The control condition also had a main effect on collective guilt and furthermore reduced donations in support of Holocaust victims relative to the criticism condition, the latter partly mediated via demand for HC. Although it was not expected in the present study, the finding that criticism decreases demand for HC, with downstream consequences for collective guilt, is consistent with previous research indicating that ingroup criticism can reduce the perceived moral entitlement to blatantly express support for HC (Kazarovytska et al., 2022). The direct negative effect of the control condition relative to the criticism condition on collective guilt and donations in support of Holocaust victims mirrors previous findings (Gausel et al., 2012) showing that perceived ingroup defects can lead group members to engage in reparative behaviour.…”

“…We also found a significant negative relationship between collective for HC (Kazarovytska et al, 2022). The direct negative effect of the control condition relative to the criticism condition on collective guilt and donations in support of Holocaust victims mirrors previous findings (Gausel et al, 2012) showing that perceived ingroup defects can lead group members to engage in reparative behaviour.…”

“…In the praise condition ( n = 205), participants read an article that emphasized Germany's exemplary way of dealing with the Nazi past. Perceived success in dealing with the perpetrator past might highlight the ingroup's moral growth in the aftermath of former transgressions and was found to enhance perceived ingroup morality (Kazarovytska et al., 2022). Conversely, in the criticism condition ( n = 170), Germany's way of dealing with the past was introduced as deficient.…”

“…In the praise condition (n = 205), participants read an article that emphasized Germany's exemplary way of dealing with the Nazi past. Perceived success in dealing with the perpetrator past might highlight the ingroup's moral growth in the aftermath of former transgressions and was found to enhance perceived ingroup morality (Kazarovytska et al, 2022) other items had to be answered on a five-point Likert-scale anchored at 1 = fully disagree/not proud at all to 5 = fully agree/very proud. For exploratory purposes, we also measured Right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), political orientation, and support for refugees.…”

Three Fish at One Hook? Future-Oriented, Reconciliatory, and Defensive Claims for Historical Closure as Expressions of the Same Defensive Desire

“…Furthermore, offering an apology itself can support HC, as perpetrators tend to expect the apology to close this chapter of history (Wohl et al, 2011; see also Kazarovytska et al, 2022). The understanding of apology as an indication for closure may be particularly pronounced among those who already have a strong desire for HC and whose perceptions may therefore be biased toward interpretations favoring HC (on the conceptualization of HC as a motivated cognition see Imhoff, 2010a).…”