1. Contact Theory Prejudice Reduction Through Intergroup Relations

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Real World Examples
School Desegregation in the US

9. Ending the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland

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

11. Arab/Israeli Conflict

12. Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda

13. Serbs and Croats in the former Yugoslavia

14. 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