The Contact Hypothesis

Abstract

This survey study involving 1,357 students attending a multi-cultural high school explored how thefeatures identified by the contact hypothesis reduce intergroup bias. Specifically, the study examined predictions derived from the common ingroup identity model that equal status, cooperative interdependence, interaction and egalitarian norms reduce bias, in part, because they alter cognitive representations of the student body from different groups to a more inclusive ingroup. The survey measured students'impressions of thefeatures of contact at school, their representations of the student body (e.g., as one group or different groups), and bias in their affective reactions and overall attitudinal favorability toward groups at school. In general, reductions in bias were predicted by stronger common ingroup representations, weaker representations of two groups, and ethnic/racial identities that included a superordinate American identity. Furthermore, as predicted, cognitive representations (e.g., as one group) mediated the relation between contact and reductions in bias. The findings were integrated into a more complex model in which intergroup affective reactions are conceived to be a major determinant of overall attitudinal favorability.

Generalization of positive attitude as a function of subgroup and superordinate group identifications in intergroup contact

“…The results presented here are also consistent with those obtained by Gaertner et al's (1994) multiethnic high school correlational study. When students were asked to select their group identities, some of the minority ethnic participants selected both their own ethnic group (e.g.…”

“…Gaertner and colleagues have conducted a limited number of studies that have included measures of generalization. When they have done so, the results have not always been as strong as expected (Gaertner, Rust, Dovidio, Bachman, & Anastasio, 1994;Dovidio et al, 1997).…”

“…First, theoretically speaking, it has its foundation in three models that have received substantial empirical support: the Contact Hypothesis's condition of equal status within the situation (Allport, 1954); the necessity to achieve and maintain a positive group identity proposed by SIT (Tajfel & Turner, 1986); and the benefit of re-categorization processes to promote more positive intergroup relations in a more inclusive common identity . Second, the dual identity idea should permit generalization of positive intergroup attitudes beyond the contact situation without the risk of losing group distinctiveness (see the benefit of this strategy in real intergroup contact situations in both Gaertner et al, 1994;Huo et al, 1996). Finally, thinking of its practical applications, the dual identity approach is consistent with multiculturalism policies.…”

“…Considering both the restrictions and advantages of the various approaches discussed thus far, an alternative 'dual identity' strategy has recently been proposed (Dovidio et al, 1998;Gaertner et al, 1994Gaertner et al, , 1999Hornsey & Hogg, 2000). Here it is suggested that simultaneously maintaining both the ingroup-outgroup distinction and a superordinate identity in a cooperative encounter could be potentially useful for the generalization of positive intergroup attitudes, whilst also reaping the benefits of a common ingroup identity.…”

Killing death: Some implications of extending human lifespan indefinitely

“…We tend to categorize people into ingroup(s) and outgroup(s), whereby we deem members of some outgroup as inferior to members of the ingroup in some way. Accidental contact with members of the outgroup can challenge our beliefs and reduce intergroup bias [20]. Another form of accidental experience is accidental generation of evidence over time that challenges some belief.…”