Work

From socially motivated lay historians to lay censors: Epistemic conformity and defensive group identification

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: This article examines why people cooperate with the silencing and censorship efforts of authorities that deprive them of historical knowledge. We analyze two motivational factors that account for people’s adherence to the “official” historical narrative and their willingness to serve as lay censors silencing and suppressing alternative historical narratives of the group. The first factor is epistemic conformity which is the motivation to believe in the veridicality of the consensual ingroup’s historical narrative. The second factor is a defensive form of identification with the group in glorifying and narcissistic ways. Polish and Israeli examples are discussed to illustrate societal backlash to historical discoveries that present the national ingroup in a negative manner.

Source: Memory Studies

DOI: 10.1177/1750698017701616

Authors: Yechiel Klar, Michał Bilewicz

Institutions: Tel Aviv University, University of Warsaw

Language: English

Topic: Memory, History, Trauma, Identity

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: European Commission, Tel Aviv University