Global Crisis Frame Matters for Unity: Resource Threat Hampers While Safety Threat Promotes Intergroup Cooperation

Abstract

Realistic global crises trap humanity in common threats requiring intergroup unity to combat them. How do common threats shape intergroup cooperation? Previous studies have focused on the impact of threat severity on intergroup cooperation and yielded mixed results. We proposed that framing common threat based on two key aspects (resource vs. safety threats) has opposing effects on intergroup cooperation. We conducted three studies (N = 840) to test our assumptions. Across scenarios of combating wars (Study 1), reducing air pollutant emissions (Study 2), and mitigating climate change (Study 3), framing a crisis as resource threat hampered intergroup cooperation, whereas framing it as safety threat promoted intergroup cooperation. These effects were mediated by the pursuit of ingroup interests (Study 3). Our findings provide new insights into the complex effects of common threat on intergroup interactions and have practical implications for facilitating unity during global crises.