Change in Attitudes Toward Other Nations as a Function of the Type of International Contact

Abstract

The hypothesis that cross-national contact leads to enhancement of attitude towards the countries visited was tested by controlling for two problems in earlier studies: (a) the confusion between genuine and superficial contact, and (b) the failure to specify the dimensions of contact and of attitudinal measurement. 35 Ss in two groups were given questionnaires before visiting Europe to work or travel (Time 1), on the return plane (Time 2), and after being home a period equivalent to the time abroad (Time 3). 38 control Ss in two groups were also tested at Time 3. At Time 2 the travel group was significantly more positive than before on all measured attitudinal dimensions, including those with which they had little or no contact. Relative to the travel group, the work group experienced more negative outcomes and indicated significant negative attitude change towards the countries worked in. The results were