Resentment: Structural changes such as the collapse or weakening of the center and/or occupation rearrange ethnic status hierarchies by changing sovereignty relations, composition of political positions and police, and other features such as language policy. The predicted ethnic target will be the group perceived as farthest up the ethnic status hierarchy that can be most surely subordinated through ethnic/national violence. If the target group is lower on the ethnic status hierarchy, then the theory of Resentment is not supported. If the target group is higher on an ethnic hierarchy but cannot have its position reduced through ethnic violence, then Resentment does not apply. If two possible target groups are higher on an ethnic hierarchy and either one or the other can be brought to a subordinate position, and if the lower group is the target, then Resentment alone is not a sufficient explanation. The choice of a suboptimal target would need to be explained in conjunction with another theory (possibly Hatred or Rage) or simply by another theory.

Resentment stems from the perception that one's group is located in an unwarranted subordinate position on a status hierarchy. The concept hinges on the linkage between group status and individual esteem. Human beings are motivated by a desire for esteem. The concept of Resentment is much more specific than this general desire for group-based esteem, though. Here, Resentment is the feeling of being politically dominated by a group that has no right to be in a superior position.