Needs satisfaction in intergroup contact: A multi-national study of pathways toward social change

Abstract

What role does intergroup contact play in promoting support for social change toward greater equality? Drawing on the needs-based model of reconciliation, we theorized that when inequality between groups is perceived as illegitimate, disadvantaged groups members will experience a need for empowerment and advantaged groups members a need for acceptance. When intergroup contact satisfies each group’s needs, it should result in more mutual support for social change. Using four sets of survey data collected through the Zurich Intergroup Project in 23 countries, we tested several preregistered predictions derived from the above reasoning across a large variety of operationalizations. Two studies of disadvantaged groups (Ns=689 ethnic minority members in Study 1 and 3,382 sexual/gender minorities in Study 2) support the hypothesis that, after accounting for the effects of intergroup contact and perceived illegitimacy, satisfying the need for empowerment (but not acceptance) during contact is positively related with support for social change. Two studies with advantaged groups (Ns=2,937 ethnic majority members in Study 3 and 4,203 cis-heterosexual individuals in Study 4) showed that, after accounting for illegitimacy and intergroup contact, satisfying the need for acceptance (but also empowerment) is positively related with support for social change. Overall, these findings suggest that intergroup contact is compatible with efforts to promote social change when group-specific needs are met. Thus, to encourage support for social change among both disadvantaged and advantaged group members, it is essential that besides promoting mutual acceptance, intergroup contact interventions also give voice to and empower members of disadvantaged groups.

Intergroup contact and social change: An integrated Contact‐Collective Action Model

“…Focusing on commonalities between groups is one way in which advantaged groups can satisfy their need for acceptance during intergroup encounters (Knowles et al, 2014). This satisfaction of advantaged group members' need for acceptance during intergroup contact should enhance their support for collective action and social change (Kteily & McClanahan, 2020), as shown in a large multinational study (Hässler, Ullrich, Sebben, et al, 2020).…”

Intergroup Contact and Social Change: An Integrated Contact-Collective Action Model

“…This satisfaction of advantaged group members' need for acceptance during intergroup contact should enhance their support for collective action and social change (Kteily & McClanahan, 2020), as shown in a large multi-national study (Hässler, Ullrich, Sebben, et al, 2020).…”

“…Research integrating intergroup contact and support for social change points out an asymmetrical effect of contact on disadvantaged and advantaged group members' support for social change. While positive intergroup contact seems to increase support for social change toward greater equality among advantaged group members (Hässler, Ullrich, Bernadino, et al, 2020), some scholars have cautioned that intergroup contact may directly affect and weaken core predictors of collective action among disadvantaged group members (Dixon et al, 2010). These scholars contend that intergroup contact reduces prejudice between groups but also alleviates disadvantaged groups' perception of inequality and, in turn, discourages them from supporting social change (Saguy et al, 2009;Wright & Lubensky, 2009).…”

“…For instance, Reicher (2012, p. 43) argued that INTERGROUP CONTACT AND SOCIAL CHANGE 8 "contact might make for a more civil society, but it maintains an unequal society." Reaching harmony and reaching equality, however, do not have to be incompatible goals (e.g., Hässler, Ullrich, Sebben, et al, 2020). Consequently, interventions and policies that are grounded in intergroup contact and aim to improve relationships between groups, need to be carefully designed not to perpetuate structural inequalities (Dovidio et al, 2016;Thiessen & Darweish, 2018).…”

“…For example, the age of the participants may affect both the type of contact (e.g., e-contact; White et al, in press) and support for social change (e.g., online collective action). Given that the effect of intergroup contact on support for social change varies based on the types of intergroup contact and the types of support for social change (Hässler, Ullrich, Bernadino, et al, 2020), age should be an important moderator to consider.…”