Psychology

Beyond Vulnerability: Collective Victimization Beliefs that are Linked to Collective Resilience

Document Type

Book Chapter

Abstract

In contexts of collective violence and its aftermath, people engage in meaning-making that involves various beliefs about their group’s experiences of victimization. These collective victimization beliefs, which include descriptions of the group’s experiences as well as the needs and lessons that arise from them, are dialectical: They may convey not just vulnerability and weakness but also agency, power, and strength. Therefore, some collective victimization beliefs are linked to collective resilience. However, collective victimization beliefs are often examined through the lens of risk (e.g., of cycles of violence) and vulnerability, while collective victimization beliefs tied to positive outcomes are less commonly studied. This chapter, therefore, aims to bring more attention to collective victimization beliefs that can inform collective resilience. We draw on findings from qualitative and quantitative studies from different marginalized communities and various contexts across the globe. Taken together, these findings show that people often link their group’s victimization with intragroup and intergroup solidarity, survival and collective resilience, narratives of resistance, communal strength and coping, and various forms of ingroup power despite experiences of oppression. Overall, the chapter argues for the importance of moving away from a pathologizing view of collective victimization beliefs to a more empowering approach that also considers collective resilience, agency, and resistance as part of the experience of collective victimization. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Yasemin Gülsüm Acar, Blerina Këllezi and Sandra Penić.

Publication Title

The Power of Collective Resilience Against Political Violence and Repression

Publication Date

2025

ISBN

9781040365939

Keywords

victimization, collective victimization

Cross Post Location

Student Publications

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS