Psychology

Koreans’ collective victim beliefs about Japanese colonization

Document Type

Article

Abstract

To understand the current relations between Japan and Korea, it is crucial to understand how Koreans construe the historical experience of victimization due to Japanese colonization. We analyzed news articles from major Korean newspapers, examining 3 time periods during which the conflict between Japan and South Korea over how to address the past was particularly salient. Thematic analysis revealed 3 categories with several themes each, describing challenges of victimization that are met with specific coping efforts and the transgenerational transmission of memories of historical victimization that keep these experiences salient. This article presents the first social psychological investigation of collective victim beliefs in Korea and contributes to the literature by integrating theoretical perspectives from appraisal theory and the collective victimhood literature, as well as expanding the diversity and complexity of collective victim beliefs. The current study also has practical implications for addressing strained relations between South Korea and Japan.

Publication Title

Peace and Conflict

Publication Date

2021

Volume

27

Issue

4

First Page

629

Last Page

641

ISSN

1078-1919

DOI

10.1037/pac0000496

Keywords

appraisal theory, collective victim beliefs, historical victimization, Japan, Korea

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