Supranational Identities: Social Rituals, Self-transcendent Emotions and Intergroup Relations

Social or political rituals are experiences which may inspire trust and cooperation by signalling commitment to the group or particular belief systems. Furthermore, high perceived emotional synchrony experienced during those events is associated with strong emotional reactions, particularly in terms of experiencing qualitatively different self-transcendent and enjoyment emotions, and evokes stronger positive effects of collective participation. In two longitudinal field studies we examined the effects of participation in differently valances rituals and the role of multiple identities on intergroup attitudes. The participants (Study 1-Celebration of supranational Andinian culture; Study 2-Commemoration of adjacent conflict) were assessed at three time points. Results confirmed that participation in the rituals enhancing shared, inclusive identity was associated with positive attitudes towards the out-group and supranational communities. This research provides evidence that ritualized processes may facilitate the incorporation of the shared cultural dimension in national identities and practices but leaves open questions on the nature of their articulation in supranational schemes.