Across conflict‑affected societies, communities grappling with violence, trauma and prolonged instability face deep psychological barriers to rebuilding trust. These socio‑emotional dynamics – shaped by identity, collective memory and perceptions of threat – can influence whether groups remain locked in cycles of hostility or begin to move towards reconciliation. Understanding these underlying processes is essential for designing interventions that do more than address material conditions alone, particularly in environments where institutional fragility and recurring insecurity make renewed tensions more likely.
This review of evidence synthesises findings from scientific research on the socio‑emotional antecedents of forgiveness, reconciliation and extremism in intergroup conflict. Focusing on a carefully selected set of determining factors, the paper highlights how group identity, collective emotions and other psychosocial drivers shape both the propensity for extremist behaviour and the willingness to reconcile.