It is not about protecting ourselves because we love our community but it is more about to suppress others that hate our community. Dictators Motivate people and promote hatred by spreading propaganda that the other side hates us and we need to attack them. Disgust and hatred is more powerful than anger. Creating disgust makes the other side sub-human and not worthy of humility. It creates the feeling of rejection and revolt.
Motive attribution asymmetry is a psychological phenomenon where individuals in a conflict or disagreement tend to view their own group’s motivations as stemming from positive intentions, such as love, care, or a desire for justice, while simultaneously attributing the opposing group’s actions to negative motivations, such as hate, malice, or a desire to harm. This skewed perception can significantly contribute to the escalation and intractability of conflicts by creating a fundamental misunderstanding of the other side’s perspective.
The core principle of motive attribution asymmetry lies in the inherent bias to favor one’s ingroup. People are more privy to the nuances, internal discussions, and perceived noble goals within their own group. This leads to a greater understanding and charitable interpretation of their group’s actions. Conversely, the outgroup’s intentions are often opaque and interpreted through a lens of suspicion and distrust, making negative attributions more likely. This creates a cycle where each side feels misunderstood and demonized by the other, hindering communication and compromise.
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