Contact Theory Prejudice Reduction Through Intergroup Relations

Origins of Contact Theory “It has sometimes been held that merely by assembling people without regard for race, color, religion or national origin, we can thereby destroy stereotypes and develop friendly attitudes” Gordon Allport, 1954

5 Favorable Conditions 1. Equal Status between groups 2. Disconfirmation of stereotypes 3. Climate of cooperation 4. Opportunities to get to know other group members 5. Support of social norms across groups

Does Contact Theory Work? YES: meta analysis of over 516 studies showed inverse relationship between contact and prejudice Only situations involving high levels of threat and anxiety limited contact’s effects

Does Contact Change Attitudes? YES While it is possible that a change in attitude can lead to contact, the research shows contact has a greater influence on changing attitudes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDzhrYwGTM

How Does Contact Work? 1. Learning about the out-group 2. Behavior driven attitude change 3. Intergroup reappraisal 4. Generation of affective ties between group members Contact reduces out-group anxiety Contact can be direct or indirect (imagined) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EroW6R1P-KE

When Does Contact Work? It works when: Group salience is maintained Group boundaries are respected and preserved Both interpersonal and intergroup positive relations are promoted

Real World Examples School Desegregation in the US

Ending the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland

Evaluation Contact is not a “cure” for prejudice Social/Cultural factors contribute to confound contact Conformity Anxiety Religious fanaticism Compliance Obedience

Arab/Israeli Conflict

Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda

Serbs and Croats in the former Yugoslavia

Contact Theory may not be a cure, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth pursuing. Empathy, compassion and identification with the out-group are all powerful weapons against prejudice