The world's biggest salad bowl: Facebook connecting cultures

Abstract

A correlational study on Facebook investigated the relationship between virtual intergroup contact and general attitudes toward diverse out‐groups. A so‐called Facebook application retrieved objective data about the intercultural composition of participants' Facebook networks. The exact percentage of out‐group friends correlated significantly with more favorable out‐group attitudes. This relationship was mediated by humanitarian‐egalitarian values, suggesting that having intercultural friends on Facebook is positively linked to value orientations, which in turn are associated with more favorable intergroup attitudes. In addition, identification with one's own national group and real‐life experience abroad did not moderate the results. Overall, although causation cannot be inferred because of the correlational design of our study, results suggest that virtual intergroup contact may positively affect attitudes.

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

“…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).…”

“…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).…”

“…Schwab and Greitemeyer (2015) studied inter-cultural contact that was established (or represented) on the social network site Facebook; although anonymity can be achieved on the site, users are clearly encouraged to use their real name and upload a picture as well as a range of individuating information. In White and Abu-Rayya's research (2012; White et al, 2014;, the children started the eight-week contact intervention with two sessions in which they exchanged information to get to know each other.…”

“…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.…”

“…For minority and multi-racial participants this Running head: ANONYMITY IN COMPUTER-MEDIATED INTERGROUP CONTACT 5 correlation was not significant. In addition, Austrian users of the social network site Facebook who had established more ties abroad expressed more favorable attitudes towards ethnic minorities, foreigners, Muslims, and Jews (Schwab & Greitemeyer, 2015).…”