What does this research mean for the field?

In conflicts perceived as negatively interdependent, outgroup indifference acts as a positive expectancy violation that reduces negative emotions and increases support for cooperation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate whether outgroup indifference serves as a positive expectancy violation in negatively interdependent conflicts, thereby facilitating intergroup cooperation.

August 23, 2026Political PsychologyOpen Access

Not‐so‐great expectations: Outgroup indifference facilitates conflict resolution in negatively interdependent contexts

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SCSmadar Cohen‐ChenNorthwestern University GBGarrett L. BradyBocconi University GKGerben A. van KleefUniversity of Amsterdam

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Experimental study reveals that outgroup indifference promotes cooperation during negative interdependence, indicating that low emotional expectations can foster conflict resolution.

Key Points

To investigate whether outgroup indifference serves as a positive expectancy violation in negatively interdependent conflicts, thereby facilitating intergroup cooperation.
Conducted four experimental and correlational studies comprising a total sample size of N = 2521.
Manipulated and measured perceived interdependence, outgroup emotional expressions (indifference vs. anger, hatred, and hope), affective reactions, and expected collaboration.
Outgroup indifference significantly reduced negative emotions compared to anger and hatred, leading to increased support for intergroup cooperation.
Perceptions of negative interdependence shaped emotional expectations such that outgroup indifference functioned as a positive expectancy violation, boosting expected collaboration and emotional responses.

Cite This Study

Cohen‐Chen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aad857677a34114445a63 https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.70189

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Experimental study reveals that outgroup indifference promotes cooperation during negative interdependence, indicating that low emotional expectations can foster conflict resolution.

Not‐so‐great expectations: Outgroup indifference facilitates conflict resolution in negatively interdependent contexts

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Not‐so‐great expectations: Outgroup indifference facilitates conflict resolution in negatively interdependent contexts

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider