The generalization of intergroup contact effects: Emerging research, policy relevance, and future directions

Abstract

Intergroup contact is one of the most promising and effective strategies for reducing prejudice. Importantly, intergroup contact not only improves attitudes towards an encountered outgroup member but also to the outgroup as a whole (i.e., primary transfer effects), to other outgroups (i.e., secondary transfer effects), and even enhances cognitive functioning beyond intergroup relations (i.e., tertiary transfer effect). In this article, we first review the recent developments on primary, secondary, and tertiary contact generalization. We then summarize mechanisms that underlie and condition each of these generalizations. Third, we highlight key critiques against the contact literature identifying avenues for future research on generalization processes. Lastly, we underline the policy value of research on generalization effects.

Support for rights of Syrian refugees in Turkey: The role of secondary transfer effects in intergroup contact

“…G. Stephan et al, 2002;Tausch et al, 2007). Research also shows that such positive effects of contact between two groups can also extend to other groups not involved in the contact (Boin et al, 2021;Pettigrew, 2009;Vezzali et al, 2021), which is commonly referred to as the secondary transfer effect (STE; Pettigrew, 2009). Surprisingly, to date, STE research has focussed almost exclusively on the effects of positive contact between groups (see Tropp, Mazziotta, & Wright, 2017, for a recent review).…”

The Missing Side of Acculturation: How Majority-Group Members Relate to Immigrant and Minority-Group Cultures

“…For example, by facilitating more and higher-quality intergroup contact (Jackson & Poulsen, 2005), they can lead to more adoption of another culture and less maintenance of the mainstream culture. Certain individual differences can also reduce majority-group members’ likelihood of adopting other cultures: For example, prejudiced majority-group members may experience cultural exchanges as superficial and nonintimate (Boin et al, 2021), which reduces the impact of contact on acculturation.…”

The Missing Side of Acculturation: How Majority-Group Members Relate to Immigrant and Minority-Group Cultures

“…These factors can directly or indirectly (e.g., by facilitating more and higher quality intergroup contact; Jackson & Poulsen, 2005) influence majority-group acculturation (e.g., leading to more adoption of another culture and less own culture maintenance) and, in turn, be shaped by this acculturation. Certain individual differences can also make majority-group members' adoption of other cultures less likely: Prejudiced majority-group members may experience cultural exchanges as superficial and non-intimate (Boin et al, 2021), thereby reducing the impact of contact on acculturation.…”