Perspective Taking and Getting: Mechanisms of Effects on Willingness to Help a Racial Outgroup

We investigated the effects and theoretical mechanisms of perspective-taking (writing exercises, instructions) and perspective-getting (narrative exposure) on willingness to help a racial outgroup (Asian Americans). A four-group design (N = 1549) was employed: narrative exposure (perspective-getting) only, narrative exposure with perspective-taking instructions, narrative exposure with perspective-taking exercises, and perspective-taking exercises only. Stronger helping intentions were found when narrative exposure was combined with perspective- taking writing exercises compared to perspective-taking instructions only. Similarly, greater self-outgroup merging was reported when narrative exposure was combined with writing exercises than with instructions only. Greater external attribution for the outgroup was reported in the narrative exposure plus perspective-taking writing exercise and the perspective-taking writing exercise only conditions, compared to narrative exposure only condition. Supporting the proposed integrative framework, the conditions' impact on willingness to help was mediated by self-outgroup merging, followed by the cognitive factor of external attribution and the affective factor of empathy. Findings suggest new avenues for improving intergroup relations, while contributing to our understanding of the theoretical mechanisms connecting perspective taking and intergroup helping.