Seeing Us in Them

Cigdem V. Sirin is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her research interests center on examining the microfoundations of interstate and intrastate conflict processes and outcomes. Nicholas A. Valentino is Professor of Political Science and Research Professor in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. He studies political campaigns, racial attitudes, emotions, and social group cues in political communication. José D. Villalobos is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso. His research examines public opinion and policy making dynamics in the areas of the US presidency, race and ethnicity, and immigration.

• 1. The Puzzle: Empathy for Outgroups amid Existential Threats and Ingroup Interests; 2. Group Empathy Theory; 3. Measuring Group Empathy: The Group Empathy Index; 4. An Origin Story: Socializing Group Empathy via Life Experiences; 5. Group Empathy and Homeland Security: The Case of Flying While Arab; 6. Group Empathy and the Politics of Immigration; 7. Group Empathy and Foreign Policy; 8. Group Empathy in the Trump Era; 9. Group Empathy, Brexit, and Public Opinion in the UK; 10. Cultivating Group Empathy and Challenging Ethno-Nationalist Politics.

'In Seeing Us in Them, Sirin, Valentino and Villalobos introduce a novel theory of group empathy which helps answer the puzzle of why individuals sometimes support policies that do not advantage their own group. This is a fresh, innovative, and much-needed exploration in an area of work that has predominantly focused on factors that lead to negative inter-group relations. The authors draw from a rich trove of data to explore both the causes and consequences of group empathy across a range of contexts and country settings. It is a must read for anyone interested in understanding factors that improve intergroup relations and is particularly important given the contemporary political climate.' Jennifer L. Merolla, University of California, Riverside