Overcoming negative ethnic sentiments: Short-and long-term effects of a narrative compassion intervention

Using a representative Czech sample, we implement a novel "narrative compassion intervention" to mitigate negative attitudes towards the Roma. Given their marginalization, conventional interventions based on counter-stereotypical information to challenge misperceptions of outsiders are not feasible. Instead, our approach attempts to evoke compassion towards the Roma through a narrative highlighting the dire living conditions of Roma children. The results indicate that the video intervention enhances support for the Roma, increasing both donations and policy approval. While the effect on policy preferences persists, the effect on donations does not. We identify the causal effect of knowledge and compassion on these outcomes.