An experimental study on the sensibility to intergroup biases among former genocide perpetrators and rescuers

While most individuals are susceptible to intergroup biases, some appear less sensitive to them and to propaganda targeting outgroup members. This study focuses on genocide rescuers in Rwanda, who risked their lives to save outgroup members despite years of hostile propaganda. We will investigate their sensitivity to intergroup favoritism and hostility, comparing them to former perpetrators and bystanders. Using a minimal group paradigm, participants will be assigned to fictitious groups and asked to make prosocial or antisocial decisions toward ingroup and outgroup members. Study 1 examines ingroup favoritism, while Study 2 introduces a hostility message to assess outgroup discrimination. Behavioral, implicit, and neural measures, including reaction times and mid-frontal theta activity, will be used to evaluate cognitive conflict in decision-making. The study also explores whether intergroup biases are transmitted across generations by examining the offspring of rescuers, perpetrators, and bystanders. This research aims to provide insights into the variability of intergroup biases and factors influencing susceptibility to hostile group dynamics.