The Contact Hypothesis Flashcards
The contact hypothesis is a theory by…
… Gordon Allport.
What is the basic idea of the theory?
That contact between 2 groups can promote tolerance and acceptance.
The idea works with…
… minority groups.
Majority group can meet members of the minority group to…
… find more about them and their views.
Contact helps reduce prejudice under which conditions?
- equal status
- common goals
- harmonious contact
- co-operation
- acknowledgement of authority of those who brought them together
- participants should feel comfortable
- personal interaction
What is the significance of personal interaction between individuals?
So they learn about one another and hear each other’s views.
Minority group should behave in a way that…
… doesn’t fit the stereotype that the majority group has of them.
Contact should be?
Often, not just in one social situation.
Minority group members should be seen as being?
Representative of their group.
These conditions are…
… situational factors.
These conditions give us an idea of…
… situations where prejudice might arise.
Situational factors that could increase the likelihood of prejudice?
- lack of harmony
- no figure of authority
- inequality
- insufficient contact
- groups uncomfortable
- no interpersonal interaction
- no common goal
- behaviour of minority group fits stereotype
What can be concluded from the contact hypothesis?
Situation leads to prejudice.
Situational factors are affected by…
… whether the groups interact, whether they are of different status, whether they have common goals.
Even when situational factors lead to prejudice, there are stable personality characteristics that…
… ‘go with’ prejudice and discrimination.
