Collective Memory, Identity and Inter-Group Conflict

    • IMG_4574
    • Presentation speakers
      • Pinar Kadioglu, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, UK
      • Alexander Griffiths, The MacLeod Lab, School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK

    Abstract:

    The proposed paper aims to explore the extent to which individuals with a common sense of identification are influenced by transgenerational memories of trauma in the presence of intergroup bias and prejudice. Important considerations include the impact of regeneration of negative ‘other’ perceptions in the various generations constructed via transmission of conflict memories. The transmission of such renderings borne out of intergroup bias and prejudice perpetuates a lack of trust between opposing groups and collective anxiety. Such a perpetuation has a negative effect on reconciliation processes in post-conflict societies because it becomes an obstruction on achieving a future peaceful co-existence. We aim to address various questions within the paper such as: the possibility of using memory as a mechanism for generating peace; the possibility of individuals resisting transgenerational transmitted rendering of trauma and the effects of this; the ability of individuals to distinguish between their memories and those of past generations; and the question as to whether collective anxiety can be reduced by direct positive experience with the other.