Ally or adversary: The effect of identifiability in inter-group conflict situations

People’s tendency to be more generous towards identifiable victims than towards unidentifiable or statistical victims is known as the identifiable victim effect. Recent research (Kogut & Ritov, 2007) called the generality of the effect into question, showing that in cross-national contexts, identifiability affects mostly willingness to help victims belonging to one’s ‘in-group’. The present research extends the investigation by examining the identifiability effect in inter-group conflict situations. In three experiments, employing hypothetical contributions as well as real monetary allocation in a dictator-game, we found that identifiability increased generosity towards a member of the adversary group, but it decreased generosity towards a member of one’s own group. Possible mechanisms underlying this interaction are discussed.

► We investigate altruistic giving in inter-group conflict situations. ► We examine the effect of identifying the recipient. ► We use hypothetical scenarios and real allocation in a dictator game. ► Identifiability increases generosity towards a member of the adversary group. ► However, it decreases generosity towards a member of one’s own group.