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Relevant Research

Original Study

Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2006). A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), 751.

Summary

Intergroup contact theory is the idea that just being around people from different races, ethnicities, religions, and other cultural backgrounds reduces prejudice. The pioneering social psychologist Gordon Allport hypothesized that intergroup contact lessens bias when it happens under four conditions:

  1. The groups have equal status in the situation
  2. The groups share a common goal
  3. The groups are cooperating, rather than competing
  4. Laws, customs, or people in authority support interactions between the groups

To subject intergroup contact theory to a very strong test, social psychologists Thomas Pettigrew and Linda Tropp first gathered 515 studies that had previously examined how exposure to different groups affects prejudice. The researchers then combined these studies into one large statistical test known as a meta-analysis, which allowed them to harness the strength of many smaller studies into one large one. Their meta-analysis included studies from six continents, conducted as early as 1940 and as recently as 2000, and using methods that included laboratory experiments, surveys, and field studies.

Pettigrew and Tropp found that merely spending time together indeed improves groups’ attitudes towards one another. Even more surprising, they discovered that the good feelings arising from intergroup contact extend to other groups. For instance, if you are a White person who has been spending time with a Black person, you are likely to develop better feelings about gay people and Middle Easterners.

Why This Works

People often fear what they do not know. By spending time with others from different social groups, people lose their fear. As fear lessens, attitudes improve.

When This Works Best

Although Allport’s four criteria are not necessary for intergroup contact to reduce bias, they do enhance its effects.

Change Model

1. ACTIVITIES→

  1. Recruit a diverse team
  2. Give all groups equal status on your team
  3. Ensure that team members are aiming for the same goal
  4. Increase cooperation and decrease competition between team members

2. PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES→

    Team members:
  1. Lose their fear of people different from them
  2. Improve their attitudes toward other social groups

3. BEHAVIORAL CHANGES→

    Team members:
  1. Befriend people from other social backgrounds
  2. Question social stereotypes about people different from themselves

4. SOCIETAL CHANGES

  1. Less discrimination and violence
  2. More peace and prosperity

Additional Reading

Allport, G. W. (1954). The Nature of Prejudice. New York: Basic Books.

See Also

SPARQ Solutions Catalog: Use Teamwork to Reduce Bias

Video: The Science Behind the Team Up Against Prejudice Toolkit (previously known as ReGroup)

Higher Ed Diversity and Inclusion Toolkits Collection

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