History and identity in Northern Ireland: An exploratory investigation of the role of historical commemorations in contexts of intergroup conflict.

This research used a social psychological perspective to explore the role of historical commemoration in contexts of intergroup conflict. A theoretical position was developed that indicated sociopolitical and psychological functions of commemoration at the group and individual levels of analysis. It was also claimed that commemoration can serve to reduce group cohesion if the manner in which commemoration is conducted is perceived to clash with important shared values. Empirical research using a postal survey focused upon the Orange parades in Northern Ireland. At the intergroup level of analysis, Catholic respondents evaluated the commemorations more negatively than Protestant respondents did. At the intragroup level of analysis, Protestant respondents who had participated in the parades were more likely to evaluate the parades positively, to oppose change, and to regard history as being a more important foundation of their sense of identity, in comparison to Protestants who chose not to participate in t...