Intergroup Contact: The Past, Present, and the Future

TLDR

The Contact Hypothesis is widely regarded as a powerful strategy for improving intergroup relations. This article reviews the historical development of the Contact Hypothesis and examines recent advances, including the conditions for successful contact, mediating psychological processes, and factors that promote the generalization of positive attitudes. The authors analyze the prerequisites for effective contact, investigate mediating mechanisms such as reduced intergroup anxiety and increased common group representations, and identify factors that facilitate the broader application of contact benefits.

Abstract

The Contact Hypothesis has long been considered one of psychology’s most effective strategies for improving intergroup relations. In this article, we review the history of the development of the Contact Hypothesis, and then we examine recent developments in this area. Specifically, we consider the conditions that are required for successful contact to occur (e.g. cooperation), investigate basic psychological processes that may mediate the consequent reductions in bias (e.g. decreased intergroup anxiety, increased common group representations), and explore factors that can facilitate the generalization of the benefits of intergroup contact in terms of more positive attitudes toward the outgroup as a whole (e.g. increased group salience). We conclude by outlining the contents of the contributions to this Special Issue on Intergroup Contact, highlighting common themes, and identifying findings that suggest directions for future research.