The contact hypothesis (B) Flashcards
What is intergroup bias?
An unfair response toward another group in ways that devalue them and its members by privileging members of one’s group
Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination
Give 2 measures of intergroup bias
The implicit association task:
The authoritarian personality
Describe the implicit association task
Captures unconscious stereotyping and prejudice
- Faster response when word is stereotypically associated with group vs when it contradicts
- IAT scores
Describe the authoritarian personality
The extent to which an individual has the potential to become a fascist
- F- scale
In reducing intergroup bias what is the contact hypothesis?
To reduce inter group hostility, bring members of different groups together to meet face to face under appropriate conditions (Allport)
Direct and indirect intergroup contact
What are the conditions of direct intergroup contact
- Have equal status
- Work cooperatively on common goals
- Allow members to get to know each other as individuals
- Have institutional support
Give a study for direct intergroup contact
Comprehensive meta analysis of 515 studies:
Intergroup contact improves attitudes towards partners and generalises to outgroups
Negative relationship between direct contact and outgroup prejudice
Relationship is stronger when the necessary conditions have been met
Give a strength of direct intergroup contact
The study found that White school children in northern England with South Asian friends held more positive attitudes toward the outgroup.
Self-disclosure and reduced intergroup anxiety mediated this relationship, explaining how cross-group friendships improve intergroup attitudes.
Give 2 limitations of direct intergroup contact
- It only reduces prejudice in some people, pre existing attitudes might lead to avoidance
- May be unlikely to occur naturally
Give two ways in which indirect intergroup contact can be administered
Vicarious contact
The imagined contact hypothesis
What is vicarious contact
Observing an interaction between ingroup and outgroup members
- Can be in many forms
- Easier to implement than direct contact
Give a study of vicarious contact
A teacher-led intervention in Finnish schools used vicarious contact through stories featuring majority and minority role models to reduce prejudice among adolescents
Minority students perceived majority group norms as more positive post-intervention
What is imagined contact hypothesis
Mentally rehearing a positive relaxed and comfortable interaction with an outgroup member
- Helps prepare for interactions
Give a study of imagined contact
Italian university students about to go on an exchange program were studied.
Imagined contact with outgroup “natives” improved attitudes and preparedness for future interactions, suggesting it can effectively prepare for cross-group engagement.
Give 2 limitations of indirect intergroup contact
Vicarious contact = Negative cross group portrayals could increase prejudice
Imagined contact = Concerns about applicability in real world (e.g. minorities who have faced discrimination)
