A dual identity-electronic contact (DIEC) experiment promoting short- and long-term intergroup harmony

When is computer-mediated intergroup contact most promising? Examining the effect of out-group members' anonymity on prejudice

“…That is, the in-group's (religious) identity as well as a superordinate (national) identity were salient. Two weeks after the program, students from both religious groups who had engaged in intergroup contact online reported reduced intergroup bias and anxiety as well as increased out-group knowledge (White & Abu-Rayya, 2012). Twelve months after the intervention, intergroup bias was further reduced (White et al, 2014).…”

“…For European American participants, more frequent intergroup encounters online were also associated with a stronger willingness to get to know members of other ethnic groups. For minority and multi-racial participants this (Schwab & Greitemeyer, 2015).Experimental evidence from White and colleagues' dual-identity e-contact program (White & Abu-Rayya, 2012;White et al, 2014; provides the strongest support for the valuable contribution of computer-mediated intergroup contact.Muslim and Christian students from segregated religious schools in Australia interacted over eight weeks through text-based synchronous chats, with either a religious in-or out-group member. The students explored in each session how "their religious identities can actively contribute to an 'environmentally sustainable future for Australia'" (White & Abu-Rayya, 2012, p. 599).…”

“…In addition to a substantial literature attesting to the impact of direct, face-to-face intergroup encounters, empirical evidence (Alvídrez, Piñeiro-Naval, Marcos-Ramos, & Rojas-Solís, 2015;Schwab & Greitemeyer, 2015;Tynes, Giang, & Thompson, 2008;Walther et al, 2015;White, & Abu-Rayya, 2012;White, Abu-Rayya, & Weitzel, 2014;White, Abu-Rayya, Bliuc, & Faulkner, 2015) as well as evaluations of internet-based conflict reconciliation programs (Abbott, Austin, Mulkeen, & Metcalfe, 2004;Hoter et al, 2009;Stock et al, 2009) suggest that computer-mediated intergroup contact (CMIC) can as well promote positive out-group attitudes.…”

“…Experimental evidence from White and colleagues' dual-identity e-contact program (White & Abu-Rayya, 2012;White et al, 2014; provides the strongest support for the valuable contribution of computer-mediated intergroup contact.…”

Emotion expression and intergroup bias reduction between Muslims and Christians: Long-term Internet contact

“…During E-contact, ingroup and outgroup members never physically meet or see one another during the Internet sessions but interact via online text using a synchronous chat tool. The text-only and online (rather than face-to-face) nature of E-contact ensures that the intergroup contact remains indirect, yet the synchronous nature of the Internet chat maintains the spontaneity of 'live' interactions and creates the advantage of actual engagement of self in the immediate contact situation (see also White & Abu-Rayya, 2012).…”