Integrating Geopolitics Into the Psychological Study of Intergroup Conflict and Violence: The Role of Collective Narratives

ABSTRACT The concept of narrative can be useful for incorporating a consideration of geopolitical contexts into the psychological study of intergroup conflict and violence. We explore various forms of narratives, including historical narratives, global narratives, narrative templates, clashing narratives, and ideological narratives, and illustrate how accounting for these different forms of narratives in psychological research can enhance its explanatory power by clarifying the interplay between individual and group‐level processes. Paying closer attention to the narratives that shape common sense assumptions calls for increased reflexivity in research questions and awareness of power imbalances structuring geopolitical dynamics. This paper contributes to the emerging field of geopolitical psychology by demonstrating how narratives serve as a critical conceptual tool for understanding intergroup conflict, peace, and reconciliation.