No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Measures of Intergroup Contact
Abstract
Allport’s (1954) ‘contact hypothesis’ proposed that intergroup contact is a powerful means for improving intergroup attitudes. Subsequent theory and research has developed this hypothesis into a full-blown theory that makes precise predictions about the effects of different types of contact on mainly attitudinal outcomes, and how and when those effects will occur. This chapter reviews some of the most important measures commonly used in research on intergroup contact; those specifically pertaining to intergroup contact (both direct and extended), mediating (intergroup anxiety) and moderating (membership salience) mechanisms, and outcomes (outgroup attitudes). Our aim is that the information assembled here can serve both (a) as a ‘toolkit’ for the interested novice researcher and (b) as a useful resource to the experienced intergroup contact practitioner regarding the psychometric properties of these commonly used measures. Research on intergroup contact is of great practical and policy importance, hence it behoves us as researchers to take care to use the best possible tools for the job.
... Contact quantity. Participants reported their frequency of outgroup contact on six items (e.g., "How much contact do you have with immigrants?"; e.g., Islam & Hewstone, 1993;Lolliot et al., 2015) using a 5-point scale (1 = none or never, 5 = very much or always). The mean of these six items represented participants' contact quantity at each respective phase (α pretest = .81, ...
... Cross-group friendships. Participants reported their number of outgroup friends on five items (e.g., "How many immigrant friends do you have?"; e.g., R. N. Turner et al., 2007; see also Lolliot et al., 2015) using a 5-point scale(1 = none, 2 = one-two, 3 = three-four, 4 = five-six, 5 = more than six). The mean of these five items represented participants' cross-group friendships at each respective phase (α pretest = .70, ...
... Contact quantity. Similar to Study 1, but with items asking specifically about contact at school, participants reported their frequency of contact on six items (e.g., "How much contact do you have with immigrants at school?"; see Lolliot et al., 2015) using a 5-point scale (1 = none or never, 5 = very much or always). The mean of these six items represented participants' contact quantity at posttest and follow-up (α posttest = .80, ...
Research has proposed different models of how contact situations should be structured to maximize contact effects, focusing in particular on the role of categorization during contact. We conducted two experimental field interventions ( Ns = 247 and 247) to test models that integrate different levels of categorization. Each of the tested models was contrasted against a no-intervention control condition. In both studies, we assessed effects shortly after the intervention (1 week later; i.e., posttest) and then after approximately 6 months (i.e., follow-up). In the first study, results generally supported the model where categorization precedes decategorization, showing effects on major dependent measures highlighted in research on intergroup contact: quantity and quality of contact, cross-group friendships, intergroup anxiety (marginal effect at follow-up), outgroup attitudes (only at follow-up). Evidence for follow-up effects for this model was, however, weaker in Study 2, where the delayed effects of the intervention emerged only indirectly, via changes in contact quality, outgroup attitudes, and approach behavioral intentions at posttest. Comparisons of the other two models (decategorization then categorization; and simultaneous categorization and decategorization) with the control condition (only in Study 1) provided weaker and inconsistent results.
... The 10-item intergroup contact scale from Islam and Hewstone (1993) was used to measure contact quality and frequency (5 items each). This scale has been used extensively and has established validity and reliability (Lolliot et al., 2015). Higher scores indicate higher perceived quality of, or more frequent, contact. ...
Understanding how majority-group members adapt to cultural diversity is increasingly important in plural societies such as Australia. However, little is known about majority-group members' acculturation towards immigrants and self-identifying minority-group members in a shared society. We address this with data from two white Australian majority group samples (Study 1, n = 212 undergraduate students and Study 2, n = 300 community sample). Using person-centred latent profile analysis, we identified majority-group members to be following an integrated (endorsing both majority and ethnic minority cultures, study 1), dominant (endorsing mostly the majority culture), disengaged (rejecting both cultures) and receptive strategy (endorsing mostly ethnic minority cultures). In Study 2 we also identified a diffuse strategy (showing no clear cultural preference). Moreover, intercultural sensitivity and intergroup contact predicted the probability of belonging to these acculturation profiles in expected ways in both studies, positively predicting profiles higher in endorsement of other culture adoption (integrated, receptive) and negatively predicting those low in other culture adoption (dominant, disengaged). We discuss our findings with reference to the need for further theoretical development of how majority groups approach acculturation and additional investigation in a range of sociocultural contexts.
... Direct contact was assessed in terms of outgroup conversations and outgroup friendships. To make socially desirable answering less likely, we adapted common formulations (Lolliot et al., 2015) by asking how many outgroup members were in the respondents' last ten conversations and among their ten closest friends. We assessed ingroup identification on three items with a five-point scale adapted from previous studies (Sellers et al., 1998; ωt Black sample = .82; ...
... To test for carry-over effect of single exposure to media items about asylum seekers in Europe on feelings toward asylum seekers in Israel, the questionnaires (pretreatment and posttreatment) also included a feeling thermometer question measuring participants' feelings toward asylum seekers in Israel, on a scale of 1 (absolutely negative) to 100 (absolutely positive). The feeling thermometer is a common and psychometrically sound measure of out-group attitudes (see Lolliot et al., 2015). ...
This research investigated the effects of a single exposure to media content of a distinct valence and mass‐mediated contact with a distant minority outgroup on feelings/attitudes toward a local outgroup. Experimental Study 1 was conducted among 314 Israeli Jews. The findings of Study 1 showed the effects of a single exposure to positive and negative media items about asylum seekers in Europe on perceived threats posed by them. In this study we did not find a carry‐over effect of single‐exposure to a media item about asylum seekers in Europe on feelings toward the local outgroup—asylum seekers in Israel. Study 2 was conducted through an online survey among 1039 Israeli Jews. It showed the effect of recurring mass‐mediated contact with asylum seekers in Europe on perceived threats posed by them. Both Study 1 and Study 2 found carry‐over effects of realistic and symbolic threats from asylum seekers in Europe on feelings/attitudes toward asylum seekers in Israel. The findings of Study 2 also showed a carry‐over effect of positive mass‐mediated contact with a distant outgroup on attitudes toward a local outgroup. Based on the findings, we conclude that the positive media framing of distant outgroups may promote tolerance and acceptance of local outgroups.
... Affective prejudice was measured using the "feeling thermometer" (Lolliot et al., 2015) on which participants indicated their overall feelings toward refugees in Germany and toward German persons as well. The affective prejudice dimension was assessed with an 11-point scale ranging from 1 (0 • extremely cold) to 11 (100 • extremely warm). ...
Objective: In a migration context, we analyzed interaction effects of positive and negative extended contact and between valenced-extended and valenced-direct contact on prejudice in the acculturation process between host society members and refugees. Methods: Two studies analyzed relations between valenced-extended contact and prejudice in German majority group members (N = 389, Study 1) and refugees (N = 816, Study 2). Regression models tested valenced-extended contact effects, interactions between valenced-extended contacts , and moderation by valenced-direct contact. Results: Interaction analyses showed significant interactions between valenced-extended contact experiences in both samples. Furthermore, analyses showed that positive direct contact can facilitate prejudice reduction through positive extended contact in majority group members and buffers the relation between positive extended contact and lower levels of prejudice in minority group members. Negative direct contact was found to be positively associated with prejudice through negative extended contact but was unable to affect the relations between positive extended contact and lower levels of prejudice. Conclusion: Interactions between positive and negative extended contact and their interactions with valenced-direct contact are significantly associated with prejudice in majority and minority group members. Valenced-direct contact can facilitate or buffer the effects of valenced-extended contact and interactions have a significant impact on prejudice especially if valence of contact experiences is matched. Migration is a major challenge to our societies with more than 82 million people being forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR, 2022). Research on acculturation is based on the assumption of mutuality (Berry, 2006; Horenczyk et al., 2013)-that is, intergroup processes shape acculturation-relevant attitudes (such as stereotypes, prejudice, and threat perceptions, see Brown & Zagefka, 2011) of host society members and migrants; and the quality of these intergroup experiences in both groups results, in turn, from the accul-turative orientations held by the majority and the minority. Thus, contact experiences between host society members and migrants are essential in shaping acculturative attitudes. Intergroup contact can have favorable effects on acculturation-relevant variables such as sociocultural adaptation (Titzmann et al., 2010), shared reality perceptions (Lutterbach & Beelmann, 2020), and well-being (Tip et al.,
... Quality of contact refers to the personal experience of encountering the outgroup, which can be positive or negative. In contrast, quantity of contact refers to the frequency of encountering the outgroup (Lolliot et al., 2015). Dovidio et al. (2017) reviewed research testing Allport's (1954) contact theory, showing that quality rather than quantity of contact contributes to reduced negative attitudes and prejudice towards outgroups. ...
People with an immigrant background can be affected by stereotypes and discrimination. As adolescence is an important developmental stage, this study investigated whether adolescents hold (negative) implicit attitudes towards people with Turkish immigrant background and whether adolescents differ in the extent of attitudes. Additionally, the relevance of perceived discrimination, identification with culture of residence, motivation to act without predjudice, and quality and quantity of contact to people with Turkish immigrant background for the extent of implicit attitudes was analysed. Analyses are based on 244 adolescents (60.7% female, 1.6% diverse; 13.1% with Turkish immigrant background, 16.8% with immigrant background other than Turkish) who participated in an online study. An implicit association test revealed that negative implicit attitudes towards people with a Turkish immigrant background were present among adolescents. Unlike adolescents with a Turkish immigrant background, adolescents without immigrant background and with immigrant background other than Turkish hold negative implicit attitudes on average. For the total sample, it was found that low perceived discrimination was related to negative implicit attitudes. The results are discussed with respect to substantive and methodological aspects. Implications for research and practice are derived.
... The amount of contact was assessed with two items (Vezzali & Capozza, 2011; see also Lolliot et al., 2015): 'How much contact do you have with immigrant/Italian youth people in your school?' and 'During the day, how often do you interact with immigrant/Italian youth people in your school?'. For both items, a 5-point scale was used; responses ranged between none (1) and very much (5) for the first item, and between never (1) and very often (5) for the second item. ...
A longitudinal field study tested the long‐term effects (three years) of intergroup contact on both explicit and implicit outgroup attitudes. Participants were majority (Italian) and minority (immigrant) high‐school students, who were tested at four waves from the beginning of their first year in high‐school to the end of the third school year. Results revealed, first, a longitudinal association of quantity (but not quality) of contact with lower intergroup anxiety and more positive explicit attitudes, as well as bidirectional effects over time between explicit attitudes and intergroup anxiety, on the one hand, and quantity and quality of contact, on the other. Second, reduced intergroup anxiety mediated the association between quantity of contact and improved explicit attitudes over time. Third, the product of quantity and quality of contact longitudinally predicted more positive implicit outgroup attitudes over school years. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of findings.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Das folgende Kapitel befasst sich mit der Nutzbarmachung von Diversity in Organisationen und der Rolle von Führung in diesem Prozess. Zu Beginn werden aktuelle gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen, wie Migration und Globalisierung, aufgegriffen, um die Relevanz von Diversity und Diversity Management aufzuzeigen. Zudem wird die aktuelle Arbeitsmarktsituation von Migrierenden in Deutschland im internationalen Vergleich betrachtet. Darüber hinaus wird das Konstrukt der sozialen Diskriminierung eingehend beleuchtet und auf die Entstehung, Wirkung und Aufrechterhaltung diskriminierender Strukturen und Verhaltensweisen im heutigen Deutschland eingegangen. Anschließend werden die Vor- und Nachteile der Arbeit in heterogenen Teams eingehend diskutiert sowie Modelle und Führungsstile im Hinblick auf die Führung diverser Arbeitsgruppen erläutert. Führungsverhalten und die Erwartung an die Führungskraft werden ergänzend aus einer kulturvergleichenden Perspektive betrachtet und es wird herausgearbeitet, welche Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede diesbezüglich vorhanden sein können. Abschließend wird auf die Operationalisierung von Führungserfolg in interkulturellen Kontexten eingegangen. Einerseits wird die Beziehung zwischen Mitarbeitenden und Führungskraft beleuchtet, andererseits die Wahrnehmung von angemessenem Verhalten der Führungskraft durch die Mitarbeitenden diskutiert.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Das folgende Kapitel gibt einen Überblick über psychologische Ansätze, die zur Erklärung von Migrationsprozessen und deren psychologischen Folgen herangezogen werden können. Dies umfasst unter anderem den Identitätsansatz, den Ansatz des kulturellen Lernens und den stresstheoretischen Ansatz.
Zunächst werden grundlegende Erkenntnisse zu den Themen Stereotype, Vorurteile und Diskriminierung angeführt und in verschiedene Theorien eingebettet.
Im nächsten Schritt wird Akkulturation, als Identitätsansatz, aus theoretischer und empirischer Sicht anhand verschiedener Modelle und Ansätze erläutert. Besonders die Akkulturationsstrategie der Integration wird hervorgehoben, da diese mit Vorteilen und Chancen, sowohl für die Migrierenden als auch die Mehrheitsgesellschaft, einhergeht.
Anschließend werden unterschiedliche Aspekte und Herausforderungen eines Akkulturationsprozesses und die jeweiligen Einflussfaktoren dargestellt. Beispiele sind der Kulturschock und der akkulturative Stress, die mit negativen Emotionen, Angst oder gar Depressionen zusammenhängen. Dem gegenüber steht der Prozess der kulturellen Anpassung, den das Individuum durchlebt, bis es sich in der neuen Kultur wohlfühlt und sich kulturadäquate Verhaltensweisen angeeignet hat.
Den Abschluss des Kapitels bilden verschiedene Einflussfaktoren auf den interkulturellen Erfolg.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
The following chapter presents a study examining the influence of social competence and social identity on intercultural competence among pupils and students.
Social and intercultural competences have become an important educational objective of schools and universities. The current study investigates how social competence and national identity relate with pupils’ and students’ intercultural competence. Furthermore, the study examines in which educational system (school versus university) intercultural competence is supported more. Applying a cross-sectional study design with 544 pupils and students (aged 16–34 years), we test for differences between male and female and age groups. Results showed social competences to be a suitable predictor for pupils’ and students’ intercultural competence. Additionally, positive correlations were found between intercultural competence and positive attitudes towards the outgroup. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Das vorliegende Kapitel stellt eine Querschnittsstudie vor, die den Einfluss von imaginiertem Kontakt auf Einstellungen, Vorurteile, Intergruppenangst und Verhaltensabsichten von deutschen Studierenden ( N = 502) gegenüber Gasthörenden mit Geflüchteten Status untersucht. Auf Basis der Kontakthypothese ist anzunehmen, dass imaginierter Kontakt Veränderungen von Einstellungen und Verhaltensabsichten gegenüber Mitgliedern sozialer Outgroups anstoßen kann. Anhand eines Experiments wird die Wirksamkeit des imaginierten Kontaktes mittels Online-Instruktion untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass imaginierter Kontakt einerseits positive Verhaltensabsichten begünstigt andererseits Angst vor unangenehmen Interaktionssituationen, Intergruppenangst, verstärkt. Einstellungen und Vorurteile unterscheiden sich nicht zwischen Experimental- und Kontrollgruppe. Implikationen und Potenziale für weiterführende Forschung werden diskutiert.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Die in diesem Kapitel dargestellte Studie befasst sich mit verschiedenen Prädiktoren von Diversity Beliefs bei MINT-Studierenden ohne Migrationshintergrund in Deutschland. Trotz der hohen kulturellen Diversität in der MINT-Branche ist der Umgang mit und die Einstellung zu Vielfalt noch nicht in MINT-Curricula integriert. Diversity Beliefs stehen für die individuelle Überzeugung, dass Diversität innerhalb einer Gruppe mit positiven Effekten verbunden ist. Unterschiedliche Studien konnten aufzeigen, dass Diversity Beliefs einen entscheidenden Einfluss darauf haben, ob vielfältige Gruppen erfolgreich zusammenarbeiten.
Auf Grundlage der vorausgegangenen qualitativen Studien, die explorativ Wechselwirkungen zur Diversity Orientierung untersucht haben, werden in dieser Studie die Intergruppenangst, soziale Dominanzorientierung, autoritäre Aggression, vorherige Kontakterfahrungen, die Akkulturationsstrategie und die Intergruppenbedrohung als Prädiktoren von Diversity Beliefs berücksichtigt. In einem Querschnittsdesign wurden 271 Studierende verschiedener deutscher Hochschulen und Universitäten befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die positiven Kontakterfahrungen und eine integrative Akkulturationsstrategie signifikant positiv mit den Diversity Beliefs der Studierenden zusammenhängen. Zudem konnte ein signifikanter indirekter Zusammenhang zwischen der sozialen Dominanzorientierung und den Diversity Beliefs der Studierenden über die Intergruppenbedrohung ermittelt werden.
Diese Studie leistet damit einen Beitrag zum weiteren Verständnis des Umgangs mit Vielfalt in der MINT-Branche und bietet wissenschaftliche und praktische Implikationen für das Diversity Management an Hochschulen, insbesondere im Fachbereich MINT.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Im folgenden Kapitel wird eine Untersuchung zum Thema Diversity und Diversity Management im MINT-Studium präsentiert. Aufgrund des Fachkräftemangels in den Bereichen Mathematik, Ingenieurwesen, Naturwissenschaften und Technik (MINT) und vor dem Hintergrund der hohen kulturellen Diversität auf dem MINT-Arbeitsmarkt in Deutschland, ist der Umgang mit kultureller Vielfalt an Hochschulen für MINT-Studiengänge von besonderer Bedeutung. In diesem Beitrag wird die Übertragbarkeit bereits etablierter Diversity Management Konzepte auf MINT-Studierende anhand 90 qualitativer Interviews mit MINT-Studierenden mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund exploriert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich der größte Teil der Studierenden ohne Migrationshintergrund der Diversität im eigenen Umfeld kaum bewusst ist und viele Diversität für ein Hindernis halten. Studierende mit Migrationshintergrund berichten von wahrgenommenen Faultlines (Trenngrenzen zwischen sozialen Gruppen), die ihrerseits mit einer weniger sensiblen Wahrnehmung für diskriminierendes Verhalten sowie Stereotypenbedrohung und einer weniger kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit Diversity einhergehen. Anhand der Ergebnisse wird geraten, Diversity systematisch in den Curricula von MINT-Studiengängen umzusetzen, um die zukünftigen Fach- und Führungskräfte in diesem wirtschaftlich bedeutsamen Fachbereich adäquat auf die Anforderungen im Arbeitsalltag vorzubereiten.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Im folgenden Kapitel werden die Themen Diversity und Diversity Management aus forschungs- und anwendungsbezogener Perspektive behandelt. Zu diesem Zweck wird als erstes die Relevanz von Diversity Management in zunehmend heterogenen Gesellschaften und Unternehmen beschrieben. Das Kapitel verdeutlicht dabei, dass Diversity als ganzheitliches Konzept wahrgenommen und implementiert werden muss, um die Potenziale von Vielfalt tatsächlich nutzbar zu machen und Diskriminierung zu verhindern. Um die Relevanz dieses Ansatzes zu verdeutlichen, werden Prädiktoren, Zusammenhänge und mögliche positive sowie negative Auswirkungen von Diversity im Unternehmen vorgestellt und diskutiert. Anhand aktueller Erkenntnisse aus der Forschung wird dargelegt, wie Diversity Management in Organisationen erfolgreich umgesetzt werden kann und warum die Forschung dazu insbesondere top-down Führung und Diversity Beliefs betrachtet. Darüber hinaus wird ein praxisorientiertes Modell vorgestellt, das dabei helfen kann, Bereiche mit Entwicklungsbedarf zu bestimmen und Maßnahmen in ihrer Wirksamkeit zu bewerten.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Im folgenden Kapitel wird eine Studie zum Umgang mit Diversity in verschiedenen Unternehmen aus Sicht der Mitarbeitenden mit und ohne Diversitätscharakteristika vorgestellt. Durch den demografischen Wandel und Zuwanderung gewinnt das Thema Diversity Management in der MINT-Branche (Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften, Technik) zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die MINT-Branche ist von dieser Entwicklung besonders betroffen, da sie durch ein hohes Maß an internationaler Flexibilität auf dem Arbeitsmarkt gekennzeichnet ist. Gleichzeitig liegen nur wenig wissenschaftliche Befunde über die Einstellungen und Perspektiven von Mitarbeitenden aus diesem wirtschaftlich höchst relevanten Bereich vor. Aus diesem Grund wurden im Projekt „Diversität Nutzen und Annehmen“ die Themenbereiche Diversity Beliefs, interkulturelle Kompetenz, Faultlines und Stereotypenbedrohung in Organisationen in der MINT-Branche explorativ untersucht. Insgesamt nahmen 16 Mitarbeitende, mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund, verschiedener deutscher Unternehmen aller Größen an der qualitativen Befragung teil. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zeigen, dass allgemein eine positive Haltung zu kultureller Diversität (positive Diversity Beliefs ) bei den Befragten vorhanden ist. Gerade Mitarbeitende, die im beruflichen Kontext häufig interkulturelle Interaktionen erleben, waren offener gegenüber Diversity eingestellt und konnten einen Mehrwert von Diversity bestätigen. Gleichzeitig geht diese allgemein positive Einstellung in der überwiegenden Zahl der Fälle mit geringerer systematischer Handlungskompetenz und geringem Perspektivenwechsel einher. Während die Befragten mit Migrationshintergrund Gruppengrenzen (Faultlines) zwischen sich und den Personen ohne Migrationshintergrund wahrnahmen, waren diese den Mitarbeitenden ohne Migrationshintergrund nicht bewusst. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass besonders in diesem hochgradig internationalisierten Bereich und trotz allgemein positiv scheinender Einstellungen Diversity gezielt gefördert werden muss, um Benachteiligung zu verhindern und die Potenziale von Vielfalt nutzbar zu machen.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Aufgrund der zentralen Bedeutung interkultureller Interaktion in der globalisierten Welt ist die Entwicklung der interkulturellen Kompetenz von Studierenden während Auslandsaufenthalten von hoher Bedeutung für Wissenschaft und Praxis. In diesem Kapitel liefern und testen wir einen theoretischen Rahmen, der die Selbstwirksamkeitstheorie des Lernens mit interkulturellem Lernen verbindet. Zu diesem Zweck wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen Auslandsaufenthalt, Selbstwirksamkeit, interkulturelle Kompetenz und dem erinnerten Erziehungsstil als moderierende Variable von deutschen Studierenden ( N = 203) mittels einer Querschnittsstudie untersucht. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Selbstwirksamkeit den Zusammenhang zwischen der Dauer eines Auslandsaufenthaltes und interkultureller Kompetenz in Abhängigkeit von der Wahrnehmung eines emotional warmen Erziehungsstils der Eltern mediiert. Entgegen unserer Annahmen moderieren die Erziehungsstile Kontrolle und Bestrafung nicht den Zusammenhang von Dauer des Auslandsaufenthalts und Selbstwirksamkeit. Dieses Kapitel soll zum Verständnis des interkulturellen Lernens als Ergebnis der Bewältigung interkultureller Herausforderungen beitragen.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
In diesem Kapitel wird anhand qualitativer Interviews komparativ untersucht, welche Vorstellungen von Vielfalt MINT-Studierende und Beschäftigte in der MINT-Branche haben. Die Wirkung und die Berücksichtigung der Vielfalt in den Institutionen Hochschule und Betrieb wird aus Sicht der Studierenden und der Beschäftigten dargestellt und verglichen. Grundsätzlich bewerten die Befragten den Umgang mit Diversität an Hochschulen positiver als in Unternehmen. Obwohl in einzelnen Unternehmen, die an dieser Studie teilgenommen habe, ein sehr positiver Umgang mit Diversität vorherrscht, deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass insgesamt ein erhebliches Verbesserungspotenzial besteht.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
In diesem Kapitel wird anhand einer Studie untersucht, welche Persönlichkeitsmerkmale Beschäftigte im MINT-Bereich vorweisen, die karrierefördernd sein könnten. Beschäftigten wurden drei Gruppen zugeordnet: Migrantinnen und Migranten, Beschäftigte ohne Migrationshintergrund und Beschäftigte mit Migrationshintergrund. Die Häufigkeit bestimmter Aussagen aus den Interviews wurde auf das Persönlichkeitsmodell „Fünf-Faktoren-Modell“ (Offenheit für neue Erfahrungen, Gewissenhaftigkeit, Extraversion, Verträglichkeit, Neurotizismus) bezogen. Bei den Merkmalen „Offenheit für neue Erfahrungen“ und „Neurotizismus“ gab es keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen. Das Merkmal „Gewissenhaftigkeit“ zeigte ein Chancenplus für Personen mit Migrationshintergrund. Bezogen auf die Eigenschaft „Extraversion“ hatten Migrierte und Personen ohne Migrationshintergrund ein deutliches Übergewicht. Beim Merkmal „Verträglichkeit“ wiesen Personen mit Migrationshintergrund die höchsten Ausprägungen auf.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Das folgende Kapitel legt Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung dar, welche sich mit den Einstellungen von Führungskräften zu kultureller Vielfalt im MINT-Bereich (Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik) beschäftigt.
Vor dem Hintergrund einer zunehmend diversifizierten und globalisierten Arbeitswelt in deutschen Unternehmen gewinnen Erkenntnisse über die Entstehung und Beeinflussung des Umgangs mit kultureller Vielfalt an Bedeutung. Während Führungskräfte als Multiplikatoren der Unternehmensstrategie zum Umgang mit Vielfalt gelten, gibt es kaum wissenschaftliche Befunde über die spezifischen Einstellungen dieser Gruppe. Da Führungskräfte generell eine schwer zugängliche Zielgruppe sind, liegen vornehmlich Beobachtungen aus der Perspektive der Mitarbeitenden vor. Dies gilt insbesondere für technische und naturwissenschaftliche Berufsgruppen. Aus diesem Grund befragt die vorliegende qualitative Studie, explorativ Führungskräfte dieser Branchen hinsichtlich ihrer Erfahrungen, sozialer Einflüsse und Kompetenzen, die für den Umgang mit kultureller Vielfalt relevant sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich nur ein kleiner Teil der Befragten der Chancen und Risiken kultureller Vielfalt und den spezifischen Herausforderungen für Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund bewusst ist. Dabei scheinen für die Ausbildung der Einstellungen gegenüber kultureller Vielfalt sowohl die eigenen Erfahrungen und die Sensibilität, die eigene Identifizierung mit dem Unternehmen, vor dem Hintergrund der jeweiligen Position des Unternehmens, und bisherige Maßnahmen relevant zu sein. Die Befragten konstatieren außerdem einen Mangel an interpersonalen und interkulturellen Kompetenzen bei Nachwuchs-Führungskräften in der Branche, welcher sowohl durch Unternehmen als auch durch Bildungsträger adressiert werden sollte.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Das folgende Kapitel stellt als Sammelwerk Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojektes „Diversität Nutzen und Annehmen“ der Innovations- und Technik-Analyse des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung vor, welches sich mit Diversity, Diversity Management sowie intrapersonellen Einstellungen zu Diversity und förderlichen Wirkfaktoren in den Bereichen Studium und Berufswelt der MINT-Branche befasste. Ziel war es, zu untersuchen, auf welche Weise Stereotypenbedrohung und Faultlines in Hochschulen und Unternehmen wahrgenommen werden und inwiefern diesen Aspekten durch Diversity Beliefs entgegengewirkt werden kann. Aufgrund des Forschungsdesign, welches Diversity auf drei Ebenen (Studierende, Mitarbeitende und Führungskräfte) detailliert untersuchte, konnten relevante Ergebnisse ermittelt und daraus weitreichende Erkenntnisse für die Praxis und Wissenschaft gezogen werden. Im Zuge des Forschungsprojektes konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich Personen mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund der Vielfalt bewusst sind, jedoch Defizite in der effektiven Nutzung von Diversity existieren. Zudem wurde deutlich, dass Stereotypenbedrohung und Faultlines für Personen mit Migrationshintergrund Teil ihres Lebens- beziehungsweise Arbeitsalltags darstellen. Personen ohne Migrationshintergrund sind sich diesen Herausforderungen, denen Personen mit Migrationshintergrund ausgesetzt sind, meist nicht bewusst. Weiterhin wurde ersichtlich, dass Diversity noch stärker in die Unternehmenskultur von Organisationen im MINT-Bereich integriert werden sollte. Durch ein organisationales Leitbild, welches für Diversity einsteht und diese fördert, kann ein erfolgreiches Diversity Management implementiert werden, welches sich nicht nur für Fairness und Unterstützung einsetzt, sondern sich den wirtschaftlichen Vorteilen von Diversity bewusst ist. Mögliche effiziente Maßnahmen für ein erfolgreiches Diversity Management stellen Top-Down Ansätze und die Förderung von positiven Diversity-Einstellungen dar. Abschließend wird ein Ausblick über die Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie auf Diversity Management und Diversity Maßnahmen sowie potenzielle (langfristige) Veränderungen und den daraus entstehenden Bedarf gegeben. Die Umsetzung von effektiven Maßnahmen in Institutionen und Organisationen, die auch in Zukunft Wirkung zeigen, sind ausschlaggebend, um von den positiven Konsequenzen von Diversity im gesellschaftlichen Leben profitieren zu können.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Die deutsche Wirtschaft verlangt nach qualifizierten Fach- und Führungskräften, vor allem im MINT-Bereich (Mathematik, Ingenieurwesen, Naturwissenschaften und Technik). Noch nicht vollständig erschlossene Personalpotentiale werden unter internationalen Studierenden und solchen mit Migrationshintergrund vermutet. Die Untersuchung nimmt das Maß der kulturellen Diversität an Hochschulen in den Fokus. Zugleich werden Stereotypisierungsängste und Gruppengrenzen untersucht. Das Bewusstsein für kulturelle Diversität ist lediglich unter internationalen Studierenden deutlich ausgeprägt. Zugleich fühlen sie sich durch Stereotypisierung bedroht und von Netzwerken und Informationen durch wenig durchlässige Gruppengrenzen weitgehend abgeschnitten. Zugleich scheint die kulturelle Umgebung einen Einfluss auf alle drei untersuchten Merkmale zu haben: je internationaler die Umgebung, desto geringer sind Stereotypenbedrohung und kulturelle Gruppengrenzen ausgeprägt. Diese Unterschiede lassen sich, basierend auf den vorliegenden Ergebnissen, einerseits auf die kulturelle Diversität der Studierendenschaft und andererseits auf die Einstellungen zu Diversität seitens der Studierenden ohne Migrationshintergrund sowie auf die Häufigkeit von Gelegenheiten zur Intergruppen-Interaktion zurückführen.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
In diesem Kapitel wird eine Studie zur Wahrnehmung der Gruppengrenzen unter Studierenden sowie Berufseinsteigern und Berufseinsteigerinnen vorgestellt. Die Auswirkungen von Gruppengrenzen auf die Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Personengruppen sind folgenreich und ein Abbau findet meist nur langsam statt. Aufbau und Hintergrund des Interviewleitfadens sowie die Auswahl der Teilnehmenden werden eingehend erläutert. Zudem werden Auswertungsmethoden und Ergebnisse der qualitativen Fragen präsentiert und mögliche Implikationen diskutiert sowie detailliert auf die Größe der Freundeskreise und deren Gemeinsamkeiten beziehungsweise Unterschiede zu anderen Freundeskreisen eingegangen. Die aus den Ergebnissen gezogenen Schlüsse, beispielsweise wie der Prozess der kulturellen Annäherung abläuft und was ihn hindert oder antreibt, werden diskutiert.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
Trotz der steigenden Bedeutung von kultureller Vielfalt sind fremdenfeindliche Ansichten in Deutschland noch immer weit verbreitet. Kontakt zu Mitgliedern anderer Kulturen kann unter bestimmten Bedingungen zu einem Abbau solcher negativer Einstellungen führen. Während Auslandsaufenthalte im Studium und im Beruf ausgezeichnete Möglichkeiten bieten, in Kontakt mit Menschen aus mindestens einer fremden Kultur zu treten, stellen sie auch herausfordernde Ereignisse dar, die als stressig, oder bedrohlich erlebt werden können. Die zentrale Fragestellung dieser Untersuchung ist daher, ob längere Auslandssemester mit einem geringeren Maß an Fremdenfeindlichkeit einhergehen. Dafür wird in einem Querschnittsdesign untersucht, ob die interkulturelle Kompetenz den Zusammenhang von Aufenthaltsdauer und Fremdenfeindlichkeit moderiert und ob die Qualität der Kontakte zu Einheimischen als Mediatorvariable fungiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass gute Kontakte zu Einheimischen während eines Auslandssemesters mit weniger Fremdenfeindlichkeit verbunden waren, unabhängig von der Länge des Aufenthalts. Die Zeit, die eine Person im Ausland verbracht hat, stellte sich nur bei hoher interkultureller Kompetenz als negativer Prädiktor für die Fremdenfeindlichkeit heraus. Praktische und wissenschaftliche Implikationen sowie Limitationen der Studie werden diskutiert.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
In der Literatur oder auch unter der Charta der Vielfalt existieren mehrere gute Leitfäden, welche sich mit dem Thema Diversity und der Umsetzung von Diversity in Unternehmen beschäftigen.
In der Literatur oder auch unter der Charta der Vielfalt existieren mehrere gute Leitfäden, welche sich mit dem Thema Diversity und der Umsetzung von Diversity in Unternehmen beschäftigen.
Aus diesem Grund wollen wir die bereits gut ausgearbeiteten Strukturen an dieser Stelle nicht wiederholen oder kopieren.
Wir richten unseren Leitfaden daher an den Fragen aus, die von Führungskräften und Multiplikatorinnen und Multiplikatoren im Laufe des Forschungsprojektes an uns herangetragen wurden. Exemplarisch hierfür steht die Frage „Was soll ich denn machen, wenn ich Probleme im Alltag habe und keiner mich versteht?“ .
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Intercultural competence and social attitudes towards foreigners are increasingly important in the modern (working) life. The current study investigated intercultural competence in relation to international experience and its effect on national identity and xenophobia. The current chapter shows that certain characteristics of an interculturally competent personality relate to international experiences and predict social identity and xenophobia. The results emphasize the importance of intercultural competence for a work environment coined by tolerance and diversity.
... Die Antworten wurden ebenfalls auf einer 7-stufigen Likert-Skala gegeben. Beide Skalen zum des Intergruppenkontakts wurden bereits, teilweise in angepasster Form, in einer Vielzahl von Studien verwendet (Lolliot et al., 2014 Weitere Studien sollten den Zusammenhang von Erziehungsstil, Selbstwirksamkeit, Emotionsregulation, wahrgenommener Schwierigkeit des Auslandsaufenthalts und Kompetenzentwicklung in einem Längsschnitt-oder einem Prä-Post-Design vor und nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt näher betrachten. ...
Zusammenfassung
In diesem Kapitel werden die Außendarstellung von MINT-Unternehmen hinsichtlich Diversity Management (Außenperspektive) sowie seine unternehmensinterne Implementierung (Binnenperspektive) untersucht. Die Bewertung der beiden Perspektiven wird anhand von vier Kriterien vorgenommen: Unternehmenskultur, Mitarbeiterentwicklung, Erfolgskriterien und Management. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass es Großunternehmen am besten gelingt, Diversity Management umzusetzen und transparent zu gestalten. Besonders hinsichtlich der Unternehmenskultur gibt es einen deutlichen Zusammenhang zwischen der Binnen- und Außenperspektive. In den Dimensionen Mitarbeiterentwicklung und Erfolgskriterien ist der Zusammenhang weniger stark ausgeprägt und für das Management fehlt er gänzlich. Die vorliegende Studie betont die Relevanz einer transparenten Außendarstellung von Maßnahmen, die Unternehmen ergreifen, um einen angemessenen Umgang mit Vielfalt zu ermöglichen.
... Cross-group friendships. The number of friends within the outgroup was assessed using a single item adapted from previous contact research (see Lolliot et al., 2015; "How many of your friends are immigrants?"). Responses were anchored on a 5-step scale (1 = no immigrant friends, 2 = one to two, 3 = three to four, 4 = five to six, 5 = more than six). ...
While considering the role of group-level factors as predictors of collective action, research has overlooked the role of group prototypes in determining willingness to engage in collective action. To begin to investigate this area, we conducted two correlational studies ( Ns = 141 and 98) in high schools examining the association between prototypical ingroup members’ desire to engage in collective action and participants’ collective action on behalf of a disadvantaged group (immigrants). Results showed a positive association between these two variables. We also investigated boundaries of this effect, finding that the association emerged when participants lacked personal experiences with the disadvantaged group (cross-group friendships; Study 1) or identified more with their ingroup, an effect also found when including a behavioral measure of collective action (Study 2). Intentions to follow the prototypical ingroup member emerged as the mediator (Study 2). It is worth noting that our methodology allowed us to assess prototypicality in a naturalistic context by calculating a metacontrast ratio for each group member, in line with self-categorization theory’s conceptualization of prototypicality. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications, with reference to the role of prototypicality as a means of social influence and to developing social norms in the context of collective action.
... Not only the social-constructivism theory, but the attitude theory of Icek Ajzen will also be applied to this study in order to grasp the teaching and learning motivation of teachers and learners respectively. Since attitude can have cognitive, affective, or behavioural components (Lolliot et al., 2015) we generally form beliefs about some objects by connecting it with certain characteristics like with another object, attributes, or events. As an example of a certain teaching approach (attitude object), we may come to believe that this approach is efficient and actively engaging (attributes) students (Ajzen, 1993). ...
Effective teaching and learning of mathematics are vital not only for examination or assessment purposes but also for empowering learners to live in a modern age of science, mathematics, and engineering and enable them to role-play to the social and economic development of the developing countries and the whole world as well. This study reveals insights of teachers and students regarding mathematics teaching and learning in Rwanda. The study was a survey designed involving 217 ordinary level secondary school students and 25 secondary school teachers who teach Mathematics, from 5 schools in Karongi District, Western Province, in Rwanda. The results analysis was confined to three components namely; preferred mathematics teaching methods, motivation to teach and learn mathematics, and the usability of mathematics in daily life. Descriptive statistics and all the statistical tables/graphs were generated using SPSS and MS Excel. As results, peer learning and group work and expository were found to be the most applied teaching methods in the selected schools. This study has underlined that not only parents but also siblings have an impact on their young brothers/sisters’ education. In terms of its utilitarian value, respondents revealed that mathematics increases critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity of students. Teachers need to be more knowledgeable in the subject matter, through lesson preparations and linking mathematical concepts to real-world experiences.
... Indeed, Dixon et al. (2005) as well as McKeown and Dixon (2017) have emphatically cautioned that relying on controlled settings and standardized self-report or survey methods might lead researchers to miss essential points about "the nature, meaning, and consequences of contact on the ground" (McKeown & Dixon, 2017, p. 10). Specifically, they argued that everyday experiences of intergroup contact most likely differ from how researchers set up and measure contact (Lolliot et al., 2015). Similarly, Harwood (2010) has described cross-group interactions as a black box, where people walk away with altered attitudes without researchers ever looking at the process. ...
The prolific expansion of intergroup contact research has established that intergroup interactions are tightly linked to social integration. In this review, recent technological and statistical innovations with the potential to advance this body of research are presented. First, concerns over the validity of longitudinal models are discussed before innovative analytical techniques are introduced that explore change over time. Next, intensive repeated measure designs, such as experience sampling approaches, are introduced as opportunities to investigate the day‐to‐day lives of individuals. Virtual reality technology is then presented as another means to examine naturalistic contact experiences in the laboratory, offering researchers an unrivaled capacity to induce uncommon contact experiences. Finally, we propose that additional sources of contextual data, such as competing media messages, could extend these models in innovative ways by accounting for the time and place surrounding intergroup contact. Similarly, longitudinal social network analysis can provide additional contextual information by considering the broader network environment in which contact occurs. We describe these innovations with the intention of spurring future research that will advance our understanding of how intergroup contact can be used to improve our societies. Thus, we conclude with a discussion on how to bridge divides between researchers and practitioners.
... Contact itself has been conceptualized more precisely by distinguishing two independent dimensions: quantity and quality. According to Lolliot et al. (2015), "Contact quantity relates to the frequency with which someone has direct intergroup encounters, whereas contact quality reflects the extent to which face-to-face intergroup encounters are experienced positively or negatively" (p. 654). ...
This study explored the relationship between the ability to talk to others in more than one language and ethnic prejudice, considering the quality and quantity of intergroup contact. A structural equation model analysis was carried out on a sample of 631 Italian citizens. The results showed that multilingualism led to an increase of acceptance of intergroup differences and positive attitudes toward Moroccans and that the quality (but not quantity) of intergroup contact-mediated those relationships. The mediating role of the quality of intergroup contact extends previous results on the relationship between multilingualism and positive attitudes toward ethnic out-groups. These findings are important from a scientific point of view, as they enrich the conditions of the intergroup contact hypothesis.
This present research explores a progressive repurposing of Virtual Reality technology, Virtual Immersive Contact (VIC), in a real-world setting to; explore viability to reduce prejudice and investigate the role of empathy in motivating prosocial behavior. The study employed a between-subjects repeated-measures experimental design of a randomized sample ( n = 113) split into two conditions to reduce prejudice and discrimination in the active conflict area of the Central African Republic (CAR). In line with the study’s hypotheses, VIC produced a significant increase in empathic concern for the Muslim outgroup and intentions to donate to a Muslim family, while also showing that the relationship between empathy and helping behaviours was mostly explained by confounding variables. This research provides both the first evidence of its kind that VIC could be a new form of fostering positive intergroup contact in an active conflict setting, crating a new facet of intergroup contact theory, and further evolving the literature on the empathy, prosocial behaviour relationship.
Do the leaders of minority communities in divided cities influence group members’ expressed willingness to engage politically with rival groups? Studies typically link group members’ willingness to engage with rival groups to direct contact between individuals from opposing groups. However, such contact is problematic in divided cities, wherein opportunities to interact are scarce and frowned upon. Focusing on the contested urban space of Jerusalem, we find indications that the diverse nature of community leadership in East Jerusalem can influence Palestinian residents’ attitudes towards political engagement with Israeli authorities via municipal elections. The ‘middlemen’ role can explain community leaders’ influence in divided cities. They facilitate indirect contact between their constituents and the other group’s members or institutions. Our analysis employs original data from a public opinion survey conducted among Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem immediately prior to the Jerusalem 2018 municipal elections. It has ramifications regarding urban governance for other divided cities.
Students’ development of intercultural competence during stays abroad has been subject to numerous studies due to the vital importance of intercultural interaction in the globalised world. In the present cross-sectional study, we provide and test a theoretical frame connecting self-efficacy theory of learning and intercultural learning, examining the remembered parenting style of N = 203 German students as a moderating variable to contribute to the understanding of intercultural competence as the result of a learning process. We predicted and found that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between length of stay abroad and intercultural competence, depending on the perception of an emotional warm parenting style. Contrary to our assumptions, the parenting styles control, and punishment do not moderate the relationship between length of stay abroad and self-efficacy. The current study thus contributes to the understanding of intercultural learning as a result of accomplishing intercultural challenges and learning, with implications for further research and practice.
This study examined the efficacy of an intensive one-day intergroup contact intervention for two groups under tension: local and mainland Chinese college students in Hong Kong. The differential effects of contact intimacy at cognitive, interpersonal, and emotional levels in fostering changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior were evaluated. Adopting a two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design, participants (N = 72) were randomly assigned to the intervention group that facilitated progressively higher levels of contact intimacy, or the control group that had limited level of contact intimacy. The results support the short-term intervention efficacy in enhancing outgroup knowledge, attitude, and behavior, with Cohen’s d of 0.97, 0.60 and 0.30, respectively. Specifically, cognitive-level intergroup contact enhanced outgroup knowledge only. Adding interpersonal-level intergroup contact further enhanced outgroup attitude. Notably, adding emotional-level intergroup contact enhanced changes in all three domains: knowledge, attitude, and behavior. One-month maintenance effect was found in outgroup knowledge, with Cohen’s d increased to 1.33.
Full-text available: https://rdcu.be/c2RtV
Federation Square is an iconic urban public space in the centre of Melbourne. It was commissioned to celebrate the establishment of the nation of Australia in 1901; to represent the state of Victoria’s increasing ethnic diversity; and to provide the civic square omitted since the grid plan was first laid out in 1837, when the city was officially founded. Despite Federation Square’s iconic status, there remains a lack of empirical research exploring how well this public space enables and constrains the varied spatial practices of the city’s ethnically diverse population. This paper begins with an outline of the actor-network ethnography and research methods employed in this study. Then, a description of Federation Square is provided, followed by a discussion of the key findings. This paper claims that the flows of everyday urban life that facilitate random encounters between difference are largely absent from Federation Square. Furthermore, the paper argues that minority ethnic groups are more likely to feel and be seen to be ‘out-of-place’ in Federation Square. While the architecture attempts to represent the ethnic diversity of the city, the built form, programming and management limit diverse spatial practices outside of major events.
We study the reciprocal relationship between interethnic interactions among coworkers and native (Dutch) employees’ attitudes regarding immigrant entitlements. Building on contact theory, we hypothesize that voice support by ethnic outgroup coworkers leads to more favorable, while voice suppression leads to less favorable attitudes regarding immigrant entitlements. Furthermore, we examine potential reciprocal effects. The hypotheses are tested using a three-wave panel survey of native Dutch respondents. Findings indicate a negative effect of voice suppression by ethnic outgroup coworkers on attitudes regarding immigrant entitlements, implying that workplace interethnic contact can shape political attitudes. Moreover, findings indicate that the less favorable native employees’ attitudes regarding immigrant entitlements are, the more likely they are to subsequently experience suppression by ethnic outgroup coworkers.
Previous studies demonstrated that when individuals interact with outgroup members on social media, in online games, or through (a)synchronous chats, prejudice is reduced. Evaluations of real‐world interventions, however, did not consistently confirm the positive impact of online intergroup contact. We advance the literature and investigate whether participation in a global online intergroup contact program predicts lower prejudice as well as increased outgroup knowledge, confidence, and tendencies to take collective action on behalf of outgroup members. We also assess if the quantity of online intergroup contact moderates developments of the outcome measures over time. Applying a pre‐post design, participants (N = 547) completed surveys before and after the intervention. One follow‐up survey was, depending on the program cohort, administered with a delay of six, 12, and 18 months. Throughout the intervention, prejudice decreased, and collective action tendencies, outgroup knowledge, as well as confidence in one's ability to communicate in intercultural environments increased. These trends were maintained for up to 18 months after program completion. Changes in attitude, knowledge, confidence, or collective action tendencies did not differ systematically between a four‐weeks and an eight‐weeks module. We conclude that online intergroup contact is a powerful tool to promote harmonious intergroup relations at scale.
In recent years, there has been remarkable change in societal acceptance of lesbians and gay men. This meta-analysis explored whether this positive shift has reduced the gender difference in these attitudes. We tested Kite and Whitley’s (1996) gender belief system model and replicated their finding that heterosexual men held more negative attitudes toward gay people (g. = 0.37, k = 245, N = 98,295), gay behavior (g. = 0.22, k = 68, N = 98,734), and gay civil rights (g. = 0.16, k = 80, N = 89,187). We also found that heterosexual men were more likely to report engaging in anti-gay behavior (g. = 0.53, k = 7, N = 2,509), endorsing gay stereotypes (g. = 0.17, k = 17, N = 6,936), and wanting to avoid contact with gay men (g. = 0.49, k = 7, N = 2,178). However, heterosexual women reported a stronger desire to avoid contact with lesbians than did heterosexual men (g. = -0.36, k = 5, N = 1,339). For the most part, gender differences remained stable over time; the exceptions were attitudes toward same-gender sexual behavior and attitudes toward lesbian and gay civil rights, which showed small increases. Gender differences in anti-gay prejudice were mediated by gender differences in traditional gender-role beliefs. Moderator variables included participant group, type of measure, and target group.
This longitudinal, quasi-experimental field study investigated affective forecasting as a moderator of positive intergroup contact effects among adolescents. We also examined a novel mediating mechanism that underlies this effect, namely accuracy of perceived outgroup willingness for intergroup contact. Three annual waves of survey data were used from 1,169 adolescents (Mage = 13.88 at Wave 1; 50% girls; 66% White British, 44% Asian British) whose schools were merged, in a unique intervention that resulted in one school where ethnic groups were evenly mixed (i.e., balanced school) and two White British majority schools (i.e., majority skewed schools). Results showed that positive intergroup contact and attitudes improved more in the balanced school than in the majority skewed schools. In all schools, change in adolescents' positive intergroup contact predicted change in positive intergroup attitudes indirectly via (a) increased accuracy of perceived outgroup willingness for contact and (b) reduced intergroup anxiety. Indirect effects via accuracy of perceived contact willingness were stronger for adolescents who made more negative affective forecasts than for other adolescents. These moderated mediation effects were stronger in the balanced school than in the majority skewed schools. Thus, more balanced ethnic mixing in schools seemed to directly enhance positive intergroup relations and attitudes for all adolescents, but to particularly benefit adolescents who made more negative affective forecasts about positive contact before the school merger. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Decades of intergroup contact research have found that contact with outgroups reduces negative attitudes. Yet, few studies have examined the association between contact and anti-fat attitudes. Furthermore, testing different facets of contact, namely contact quantity versus contact duration, provides more precise theoretical predictions for their effectiveness in this under-tested context. This study examined whether intergroup anxiety was indirectly related to and contact favorability moderated the relationship between contact and anti-fat attitudes, tested through the constructs of contact quantity (i.e., how many individuals interacted with) and contact duration (i.e., how often time was spent). Undergraduates (N = 343; 260 women) based in the United States completed an online survey assessing intergroup contact, contact favorability, intergroup anxiety, and anti-fat attitudes. Analyses of conditional indirect effects showed that longer contact but not more contact reduced intergroup anxiety, which lowered anti-fat attitudes. The indirect paths for both contact types were not conditional upon contact favorability. Contact favorability moderated the association between contact duration and anti-fat attitudes such that longer and more favorable contact lowered anti-fat attitudes. Findings are discussed within the contact hypothesis, and future research should explore the distinct elements of the hypothesis as applicable to anti-fat prejudice in in-person and online contexts.
It is not well understood why, on diverse college campuses, some students are more likely than others to engage in interracial contact. While research has begun to examine the role of individual differences like personality traits, results have thus far been mixed. This article asks if this might be the result of confounding different forms of interracial contact. Using a sample of nearly 500 university students and drawing on distinctions made in research on diversity in higher education, models examining the relationships between the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits and four types of interracial contact are presented: positive and negative cross-racial interactions (CRIs), and two ways of estimating interracial friendships (IRFs)—self-reported composition of close friends as well as the count of ego-network connections. Results show that having an Agreeable personality is associated with perceiving more positive and fewer negative CRIs, while no personality traits are associated with IRFs.
Intergroup anxiety has become important in understanding the success or failure of intergroup contact. In this paper, we suggest that intergroup anxiety is made up from two constructs: self‐anxiety (anxiety over thinking or doing something that is prejudiced) and other‐anxiety (anxiety that the other might do something to you). Over four studies, we show how these two dimensions have different correlates and independently predict psychophysiological reactivity to an intergroup interaction. Other‐anxiety was associated with negative intergroup attitudes and negative affect. In contrast, self‐anxiety had no simple relationship with conventional measures of intergroup attitudes but was associated with a flattening of responses that were indicative of freezing (Study 3) and simultaneous approach and avoidance (Study 4). We suggest that whereas other‐anxiety is associated with negative affect and avoidance, self‐anxiety is associated with ‘freezing’ responses to intergroup interaction. Thus, the distinction between these two constructs has important repercussions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Almost six decades of research have consistently demonstrated that intergroup contact is one of the most powerful ways of improving intergroup attitudes. At least two important limitations, however, still compel researchers to continue work in this area: the issue of long-term effects of contact, and the processes underlying such effects. This report makes a theoretical and empirical contribution with regard to these two aspects introducing a new mediator of the effects of contact: verification of qualities of typical ingroup members that may or may not characterize individual group members (e.g. verification of ingroup identities). One hundred and forty-two high school students participated in a two-wave longitudinal study with 12 weeks' lag in Spain. Cross-sectional and longitudinal mediational analyses using multiple imputation data showed that intergroup contact improves general outgroup evaluation through increasing verification of ingroup identities. This research demonstrates the relevance of considering verification of ingroup identity as a mediator for the positive effects of intergroup contact.
Using survey data from Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland (N = 428), the authors examined the effects of extended contact via different types of ingroup contacts (neighbors, work colleagues, friends, and family members) and tested whether closeness to ingroup contacts moderated the effects of extended contact on outgroup trust. Results demonstrated that extended contact effects varied as a function of the relationship to ingroup contacts, and that extended contact interacted with closeness ratings in predicting outgroup trust. Consistent with hypotheses, extended contacts via more intimate ingroup relationships (i.e., friends and family) were overall more strongly related to outgroup trust than extended contacts via less intimate ingroup relations (i.e., neighbors and work colleagues). Moreover, within each level of intimacy extended contact was related to outgroup trust only at high, and not at low, levels of rated closeness to ingroup contacts. The theoretical contributions, limitations and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Secondary transfer effects (STEs) of intergroup contact refer to the generalization of contact effects from a primary encountered outgroup to attitudes towards secondary outgroups (Pettigrew, 2009). Using two large, cross-sectional data sets from Germany (N = 1,381) and Northern Ireland (N = 1,948), this article examined the extent to which STEs of intergroup contact on attitudes towards a range of secondary outgroups occur via a previously unexplored psychological construct, social identity complexity (operationalized as similarity complexity and overlap complexity). Study 1 found primary outgroup contact to be associated with greater similarity complexity, but no indirect effects on secondary outgroup attitudes via complexity emerged. Study 2, however, revealed indirect positive relationships between primary outgroup contact and secondary outgroup attitudes via increased similarity complexity and overlap complexity. These relationships were obtained while controlling for two previously tested mediating mechanisms, attitude generalization (operationalized as primary outgroup attitude) and deprovincialization (operationalized as ingroup attitude and identification). We discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and the contribution of social identity complexity to understanding processes underlying STEs of contact.
This study addresses the issue of the relation between the number of response categories used in survey questions and the quality of measurement. Several hypotheses, derived from relevant theory and research, are tested through a comparison between 7- and 11-category rating scales used in the 1978 Quality of life Survey. One hypothesis derived from information theory, that rating scales with more response categories transmit a greater amount of information and are therefore inherently more precise in their measurement, is strongly supported A second hypothesis, that questions with greater numbers of response categories are more vulnerable to systematic measurement errors or shared method variance, is rejected. This study supports the conclusion that questions with more categories are both more reliable and more valid.
This exploratory study investigates the link between the experience of racial discrimination and personal outcomes in a sample of African Americans. Most research on discrimination and its consequences has focused on institutional discrimination. Little attention has been given to “isolate discrimination,” an individual act of discriminatory behavior by one dominant group person directed at a member of a subordinate group. In this exploratory study, with a sample of 312 Blacks, the authors examine the experience and consequences of discrimination among African Americans from Detroit, Michigan. Consistent with prior literature, the authors hypothesize that discrimination affects the sense of mastery and creates psychological distress. The authors find that experiencing discrimination leads to lower levels of mastery and higher levels of psychological distress. These results support the authors’hypotheses. The authors discuss several implications of these results.
This study employed the integrated threat theory of intergroup attitudes to examine the attitudes of Black and White students toward the other racial group. This theory synthesizes previous research on the relationships of threats to intergroup attitudes. Structural equation modeling revealed that for both racial groups, realistic threats, symbolic threats, and intergroup anxiety predicted attitudes toward the other group. To varying degrees, the effects of negative contact, strength of ingroup identity, perceptions of intergroup conflict, perceived status inequality, and negative stereotyping on negative racial attitudes were mediated by the three threat variables. The model accounted for more variance in the negative attitudes of Whites toward Blacks than in the negative attitudes of Blacks toward Whites. The implications of these findings are discussed.
A person × situation approach to the study of intergroup anxiety is offered in which anxiety in intergroup encounters is viewed as a transaction between the individual and the environment. An individual difference measure of intergroup anxiety toward African Americans is developed, and studies assessing the scale's reliability and validity are presented. The utility of a person × situation approach is shown in an experiment in which participants high or low in intergroup anxiety were told they would interact with either a European American or an African American. Participants high in intergroup anxiety who were supposed to interact with an African American evidenced the highest state anxiety, perceived the interaction as most difficult, and viewed their partners as most dissimilar from themselves. Issues surrounding sources of intergroup anxiety and the relationship between intergroup anxiety and prejudice are discussed.
Research on the relationship between the percentage of an ethnic minority population in a geographically defined area and majority members' prejudice typically reveals a positive covariation. This result supports threat theory. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated significant exceptions. Based on intergroup contact theory, the present study demonstrates with a German probability sample that an increase in the percentage of ethnic minority members affords the majority greater opportunity for intergroup contact and thus reduces the majority's prejudice. These results also falsify frequent political claims that an increase in the minority population above a particular threshold necessarily worsens intergroup relations. The data are discussed in the context of the divergence of our results from those of other studies. Whether threat or contact effects occur may depend on an array of moderators that require further testing.
This chapter introduces the common ingroup identity model as a means of reducing intergroup bias. This model proposes that bias can be reduced by factors that transform members' perceptions of group boundaries from “us” and “them” to a more inclusive “we”. From this perspective, several features specified by the contact hypothesis (e.g. co-operative interaction) facilitate more harmonious intergroup interactions, at least in part, because they contribute to the development of a common ingroup identity. In this chapter, we describe laboratory and field studies that are supportive of the model; we also relate the model to earlier work on aversive racism.
This study investigated communicative and relational aspects of the grandparent–grandchild relationship that lead to perceptions of age salience and shared family identity with the grandparent. The perceptions represent manifestations of inter- and intragroup levels of categorization in dealing with the other family member. The association between these group-oriented categorizations and perceptions of intergenerational contact outside of the family was examined. Participants (N = 369) completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of experiences with multiple grandparents. Findings showed that general family identification of the grandchild, parental encouragement, and personal communication (social support and reciprocal self-disclosure) are positively associated with perceptions of shared family identity, whereas intergroup communication (under/overaccommodation) and perceptions of impaired health are associated with age salience. Results suggest that age salience may moderate the relationship between shared family identity and perceptions of older adults in some circumstances.
One of the most exciting developments in intergroup contact theory is the idea that a certain type of contact, cross-group friendship, might be particularly effective at reducing prejudice. In this chapter we review research on two types of cross-group friendship. Direct cross-group friendship refers to friendships that develop between members of different groups. Extended cross-group friendship, on the other hand, refers to vicarious experience of cross-group friendship, the mere knowledge that other ingroup members have cross-group friends. We consider the relationship between both types of cross-group friendship and prejudice and the processes that mediate and moderate these relationships. The research highlights the respective strengths and weaknesses of direct and extended cross-group friendship and illustrates how they might be practically combined in efforts to improve intergroup relations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
explore a few of the general processes whereby integral and incidental affect impinge upon social judgments of the members of outgroups / endeavor to go beyond the global distinction between positive and negative affect and consider how qualitatively different emotional states (specifically, happiness, sadness, anger, and anxiety) are related to stereotyping / describe a heuristic model of the stereotyping process that is compatible with several more specific theoretical accounts / summarize evidence bearing on some of the ways that different emotional states might affect each stage of processing / consider several of the most interesting issues that remain for future research (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The extended contact hypothesis proposes that knowledge that an in-group member has a close relationship with an out-group member can lead to more positive intergroup attitudes. Proposed mechanisms are the in-group or out-group member serving as positive exemplars and the inclusion of the out-group member's group membership in the self. In Studies 1 and 2, respondents knowing an in-group member with an out-group friend had less negative attitudes toward that out-group, even controlling for dispositional variables and direct out-group friendships. Study 3, with constructed intergroup-conflict situations (on the robbers cave model), found reduced negative out-group attitudes after participants learned of cross-group friendships. Study 4, a minimal group experiment, showed less negative out-group attitudes for participants observing an apparent in-group–out-group friendship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Although intergroup contact is one of the most prominent interventions to reduce prejudice, the generalization of contact effects is still a contentious issue. This research further examined the rarely studied
secondary transfer effect (STE; Pettigrew, 2009), by which contact with a primary outgroup reduces prejudice toward secondary groups that are not directly involved in the contact. Across 3 cross-sectional studies conducted in Cyprus (
N = 1,653), Northern Ireland (
N = 1,973), and Texas (
N = 275) and 1 longitudinal study conducted in Northern Ireland (
N = 411), the present research sought to systematically rule out alternative accounts of the STE and to investigate 2 potential mediating mechanisms (ingroup reappraisal and attitude generalization). Results indicated that, consistent with the STE, contact with a primary outgroup predicts attitudes toward secondary outgroups, over and above contact with the secondary outgroup, socially desirable responding, and prior attitudes. Mediation analyses found strong evidence for attitude generalization but only limited evidence for ingroup reappraisal as an underlying process. Two out of 3 tests of a reverse model, where contact with the secondary outgroup predicts attitudes toward the primary outgroup, provide further evidence for an indirect effect through attitude generalization. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed, and directions for future research are identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Contact researchers have largely overlooked the potential for negative intergroup contact to increase prejudice. In Study 1, we tested the interaction between contact quantity and valence on prejudice toward Black Australians (n = 1,476), Muslim Australians (n = 173), and asylum seekers (n = 293). In all cases, the association between contact quantity and prejudice was moderated by its valence, with negative contact emerging as a stronger and more consistent predictor than positive contact. In Study 2, White Americans (n = 441) indicated how much positive and negative contact they had with Black Americans on separate measures. Although both quantity of positive and negative contact predicted racism and avoidance, negative contact was the stronger predictor. Furthermore, negative (but not positive) contact independently predicted suspicion about Barack Obama's birthplace. These results extend the contact hypothesis by issuing an important caveat: Negative contact may be more strongly associated with increased racism and discrimination than positive contact is with its reduction.
This research examined the extent to which minority or “devalued” group members engendered threat reactions from interaction partners. Participants' cardiovascular responses marking challenge and threat were obtained during social interactions with White or Black confederates who described their background as either socioeconomically advantaged or disadvantaged. Main effects for race and status were found. When interacting with Black or disadvantaged confederates, participants exhibited cardiovascular threat responses, whereas participants interacting with White or advantaged confederates primarily exhibited cardiovascular challenge responses. Consistent with cardiovascular responses, participants paired with White partners performed better during a cooperative task than participants paired with Black partners. In contrast to the physiological and behavioral indicators, self-reports indicated greater liking and more agreement with positive statements for Black partners than White partners. These findings demonstrate the value of multiple and less consciously controlled measures for the study of intergroup relations.
The current study applied integrated threat theory (ITT) to the prediction of implicit and explicit attitudes toward African-Americans. We tested models predicting attitudes from threats (intergroup anxiety, realistic, and symbolic) and antecedents to threat (contact, status, ingroup identification, and negative stereotyping). Data collected from 389 White undergraduate participants indicated that ITT is a good model for predicting both implicit and explicit attitudes. With few exceptions, antecedents predicted threats, and threats mediated the impact of antecedents on attitudes. This work adds importantly to ITT as it demonstrated common predictors of explicit and implicit attitudes, distinguished between negative and positive forms of contact, and tested a latent variable model. We discuss theoretical implications for dual process interpretations of implicit and explicit attitudes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
This study compared the effectiveness of three theoretically-based conditions of intergroup cooperation in bringing about generalization of ethnic outgroup attitudes from a cooperation partner to the outgroup as a whole. Twenty-seven pairs of Dutch secondary school pupils were assigned at random to work together in triads to solve two word puzzles. The triads consisted of one Turkish pupil, always a confederate, and two Dutch pupils. The three conditions varied according to whether reference was made to the ethnic background of the confederate in both an introductory conversation and in the conversation-break between puzzles (High–High salience); only in the later break (Low–High); or not at all (Low–Low). Results show no differences between conditions in attitudes towards the partner, which were quite positive. However, attitude change only generalized in the two conditions in which ethnic membership was made salient (Low–High and High–High, which did not differ). These findings are discussed in terms of different models of intergroup contact, and how contact may actually work.
Over 25 years ago — for the present author almost a lifetime — the present wave of violence broke out in Northern Ireland. Since that time over 3000 people have been killed and ten times that number have been injured. There have been over 34000 recorded shooting incidents and over 14000 bombs planted: over 100 tons of explosives have been seized and a greater weight is estimated to have been exploded. Between 1972 and 1992, 15615 people were charged with terrorist offences. Viewed from the outside the absolute level of deaths in Northern Ireland can look modest, but a more considered examination of the data should highlight the deep sense of pain and bitterness felt by many. Perhaps most starkly of all, survey evidence suggests that almost one in two people in Northern Ireland have had a friend or acquaintance killed in the violence, and almost one in ten have had a member of their family killed (Smith, 1987). Whatever the state of relations between the Protestant and Catholic communities prior to the violence, there should be no doubt that there exists a deep well of bitterness that has poisoned, and has the potential to continue poisoning, community relations. If this chapter begins by painting a pessimistic scenario, it is motivated rather by an attempt to inject a hard sense of realism. Even if the violence were to end over-night, the emotional and psychological consequences would remain with us for many years to come and this is a reality from which we should not flinch. That said, an acknowledgement of the severity of the problem should not lead us to wallow in despair: to paraphrase a famous aphorism of Antonio Gramsci, we should maintain a realistic sense of the difficulties we face while at the same time retaining an optimistic sense that they can, in time, be overcome. This is certainly the spirit in which this chapter is written.
This paper outlines the central role of intergroup contact in promoting successful social integration between members of different groups. The paper deals with six main issues: (1) the main types of intergroup contact, and whether they are effective; (2) under what conditions intergroup contact is most effective; (3) by what processes intergroup contact works; (4) the extensive effects of intergroup contact beyond changes in explicit attitudes towards outgroups; (5) the major policy implications of intergroup contact; and (6) criticisms of intergroup contact, and rejoinders to them. Finally, progress is summarised in the form of a new theoretical model, and conclusions are drawn about the centrality of 'meaningful contact' for improving intergroup relations.
The present research, involving three experiments, examined the existence of implicit attitudes of Whites toward Blacks, investigated the relationship between explicit measures of racial prejudice and implicit measures of racial attitudes, and explored the relationship of explicit and implicit attitudes to race-related responses and behavior. Experiment 1, which used a priming technique, demonstrated implicit negative racial attitudes (i.e., evaluative associations) among Whites that were largely disassociated from explicit, self-reported racial prejudice. Experiment 2 replicated the priming results of Experiment 1 and demonstrated, as hypothesized, that explicit measures predicted deliberative race-related responses (juridic decisions), whereas the implicit measure predicted spontaneous responses (racially primed word completions). Experiment 3 extended these findings to interracial interactions. Self-reported (explicit) racial attitudes primarily predicted the relative evaluations of Black and White interaction partners, whereas the response latency measure of implicit attitude primarily predicted differences in nonverbal behaviors (blinking and visual contact). The relation between these findings and general frameworks of contemporary racial attitudes is considered.
Abstract Survey methodologists have drawn on and contributed to research by cognitive psychologists, conversation analysts, and others to lay a foundation for the science of asking questions. Our discussion of this work is structured around the decisions that must be made for two common types of inquiries: questions about events or behaviors and questions that ask for evaluations or attitudes. The issues we review for behaviors include definitions, reference periods, response dimensions, and response categories. The issues we review for attitudes include bipolar versus unipolar scales, number of categories, category labels, don't know filters, and acquiescence. We also review procedures for question testing and evaluation.
This paper examines the relation between the number of response categories used to measure attitudes in survey interviews and the reliability of such attitude measurements. I review and criticize the hypothesis that reliability increases with the "information carrying capacity" of a response scale. I also review the literature on the relationship between the number of scale points and measurement reliability. This leads to a set of predictions regarding the relationship between the number of scale points and reliability of measurement, which I then examine using results obtained from three-wave panel studies conducted by the General Social Survey and the National Election Study. Reliability estimates were obtained via several procedures (LISREL, EQS, and LISCOMP) employing a variety of statistical-estimation approaches: maximum likelihood (Jöreskog 1979), generalized least squares based on Browne's (1984) asymptotically distribution-free (ADF) approach, and estimation based on categorical variable methods (CVM) (Jöreskog 1990; Muthen 1984). With one important exception, reliability is generally higher for attitudes measured using more response categories. Reliability is relatively higher when attitudes are assessed using two-category rather than three-category response scales, but evidence consistently supports the view that for four or more category scales, reliability increases with the number of response categories, but at a decreasing rate. I also examine the hypothesis that reliability can be enhanced by combining three-category response forms with other types of questions to measure the direction and intensity of attitudes, i.e., via unfolding methods. Support for this hypothesis is lacking, but more research is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Although over the past few decades liberal/conservative self-identifications have often played a part in studies of belief systems, they have seldom been the focus of research. Recently, however, several studies have suggested that such identifications play a significant role in voting behavior and political perception. Implicit in this research, however, are two tenuous assumptions: that liberal/conservative identifications are bipolar in meaning and that underlying this bipolarity is cognitive meaning based on political issues. In this paper, we develop a model of ideological identifications that emphasizes their symbolic and nondimensional origins and nature. Based on the 1976 and 1978 National Election Studies, our empirical analysis reveals strong support for the model. Specifically, ideological identifications are found to have largely symbolic meanings, a fact that helps to explain some of the findings concerning the relationship of the liberal/conservative continuum to political perception and behavior.
In this chapter, we will provide an extensive review of the sparse literature on the secondary transfer effect. We start our discussion with a brief exposition of Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis, after which we discuss early research on secondary transfer effects and then review more recent research on this topic. Next, we will turn our
attention to the two main purported mediating processes, attitude generalization and deprovincialization, after which we will discuss a third, less tested mediator, intergroup empathy. We then review possible moderators of the link between primary outgroup contact and secondary outgroup attitude as well as the link between primary and secondary outgroup attitudes. Lastly, we turn our attention to some limitations of extant research on the secondary transfer effect, and then suggest some issues for future research in this domain.
In this article, we provide guidance for substantive researchers on the use of structural equation modeling in practice for theory testing and development. We present a comprehensive, two-step modeling approach that employs a series of nested models and sequential chi-square difference tests. We discuss the comparative advantages of this approach over a one-step approach. Considerations in specification, assessment of fit, and respecification of measurement models using confirmatory factor analysis are reviewed. As background to the two-step approach, the distinction between exploratory and confirmatory analysis, the distinction between complementary approaches for theory testing versus predictive application, and some developments in estimation methods also are discussed.
A correlational study investigated whether individual difference variables (public self-consciousness and social comparison) moderate the impact of extended cross-group friendship on attitudes towards two outgroups (Asians and gay men). Social comparison moderated the impact of extended cross-group friendships on attitudes to both Asians (significantly) and gay men (marginally). There were no reliable effects of public self-consciousness. These results are consistent with findings that extended cross-group friendship works primarily when individuals attach importance to social norms, and that attitudes towards some outgroups (e.g., ethnic outgroups) are more influenced by norms than are other attitudes (e.g., attitudes towards gay men). We argue that the moderation effect of social comparison does not weaken the potential of extended contact to reduce prejudice, because intergroup encounters typically involve some degree of uncertainty and foster reliance on social norms.
This study tested an integrative model of how dimensions of contact (quantitative, qualitative, and intergroup) are related to intergroup anxiety, perceived out-group variability, and out group attitude. Data were collected in a field study of minority (Hindu) and majority (Muslim) religious groups in Bangladesh. Path analysis revealed that dimensions of contact were significant predictors of all three criterion variables, although different dimensions emerged as predictors in each case, and there were some interactions with subjects' religious group. AU three dimensions of contact were associated with intergroup anxiety, but whereas quantitative contact had a significant impact on perceived out-group variability, qualitative contact was associated with out-group attitude. The model highlights the central role of intergroup anxiety as associated with dimensions of contact and as a predictor of perceived out-group variability and out-group attitude.
We examined the combined effects of subgroup and superordinate group identification on intergroup evaluations within common ingroup identity contexts. In Studies 1 and 2 we observed a positive correlation between subgroup identification and intergroup bias, and a negative correlation between superordinate identification and bias. In Study 3 we replicated these effects using alternative measures and observed a common path underlying these relationships: the perceived psychological distance between the self and outgroup. In Studies 4 and 5 we replicated this path model and found that the relationship between superordinate identification and intergroup bias was contingent upon making the superordinate identity salient, but this was not the case for subgroup identification. We discuss the findings in the context of theoretical and applied development of the Common Ingroup Identity Model.
Two studies investigated intergroup contact with immigrants in Italy. In Study 1 (N = 310 students) contact had direct positive effects on perceived out-group variability and out-group attitude, and a direct negative effect on subtle prejudice; the last two effects were mediated by intergroup anxiety. Contact also had a greater effect on reduced anxiety and improved out-group perception and evaluation when group salience was high. In Study 2 (N = 94 hospital workers) contact at work had direct effects on out-group attitudes and rights for immigrants, and an effect on attitudes toward ethnic coworkers that was mediated by intergroup anxiety at work. The effects of contact were again moderated by group salience. These findings show that the combination of positive contact with individuals from the out-group and group salience is effective in improving intergroup relations, and often does so via reduced anxiety.
The reported study investigated the relationship between prejudice and intergroup contact for German and Turkish pupils (age 15 years) in the Federal Republic of Germany. A distinction was drawn between “opportunities for” and “real uses of” contact, operationalized using path analysis, and hypotheses were tested concerning the way contact in the neighborhood, at school, and in leisure time is related to prejudice. As predicted, leisure time contact was significantly correlated with reduced prejudice, but only for the German sample (N = 60); for the Turkish sample (N = 50), prejudice was unrelated to any of the measures of contact. The results are discussed in terms of the wider social background to contact between national and migrant labor populations in Western Europe.
This chapter begins with a re-presentation of Allport's classic hypothesis and shows—with reference to recent cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys— laboratory experiments, and meta-analysis, that many of his original propositions have capably withstood the test of time. It examines Brewer and Miller's, and Gaertner and Dovidio's attempts to extend the contact hypothesis, in both of which categorization processes play a key role. This approach sets the stage for the model, first published in 1986 by Hewstone and Brown. In that model, emphasis was given on identifying the conditions that would allow the generalization of attitudes and behavior change beyond the specific context in which the contact occurs. The chapter discusses the developments of contact theory that occurred in the 1980s and reviews the empirical research instigated by the Hewstone–Brown model. It also reviews the progress to date and attempts a theoretical integration of these models in the light of the large volume of research that they have stimulated.
Following the work of Blumer (1958), I extend and test a theory of prejudice based on perceived threats to dominant racial or national groups by subordinate groups. Perceived threat is hypothesized to be a function of economic conditions and of the size of the subordinate group relative to the dominant group. I test the group-threat theory using a multilevel model that combines population data with survey results on attitudes towards immigrants and racial minorities from Eurobarometer Survey 30. "Group threat" explains most of the variation in average prejudice scores across the 12 countries in the sample and has a small but statistically significant effect on the influence of certain individual-level variables on prejudice. These results demonstrate the importance of perceived intergroup threat in the formation of prejudicial attitudes and suggest a re-interpretation of past findings on the relations between individual characteristics and expressions of prejudice.
Three studies were conducted to measure the antecedents of women's attitudes toward men using the integrated threat model. Four types of threats were hypothesized to produce negative attitudes toward men: (1) realistic threat based on threats to women's political and economic power, (2) symbolic threat based on value differences, (3) intergroup anxiety experienced during social interaction with outgroup members, and (4) negative stereotypes of men. Negative contact was hypothesized to increase the perception of all four threats as well as to affect attitudes directly. The findings suggest that symbolic threat, intergroup anxiety, and negative contact are the strongest predictors of negative attitudes toward men. Contrary to expectation, realistic threat may not be important to women's attitudes toward men.
"This paper advocates a validational process utilizing a matrix of intercorrelations among tests representing at least two traits, each measured by at least two methods. Measures of the same trait should correlate higher with each other than they do with measures of different traits involving separate methods. Ideally, these validity values should also be higher than the correlations among different traits measure by the same method." Examples from the literature are described as well as problems in the application of the technique. 36 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
In May 2008 South Africans made international headlines by embarking on a hitherto unprecedented campaign of violence against African migrants. This violence formed part of a wider pattern of intolerance and antagonism against African migrants in post-Apartheid South Africa. At the heart of this prejudice lies socio-economic deprivation, whilst the political context within which the attacks took place could explain its timing. Much of the work on South African xenophobia takes a citizenship approach, examining processes of nationhood, or focuses on post-Apartheid immigration policy. This paper contributes to the study of xenophobia in South Africa by analysing it in relation to social capital, which emphasises trust as crucial for social development. This article asks what xenophobia suggests about levels of trust in South Africa and argues that the events of May 2008 exposed the distrust—particularly amongst black Africans—that permeates post-Apartheid society. It starts by charting the recent development and causes of xenophobia in South Africa, its significance for trust and social capital, and finally proposes strategies for increasing trust between groups in the context of xenophobia.
Employing the integrated threat theory of prejudice (Stephan & Stephan, 1996), the proposition that the intergroup threats (realistic and symbolic) would be more predominant in predicting prejudice among high-identified group members was examined in this study. In contrast, the interpersonal threats (intergroup anxiety and negative stereotypes) would be more predominant in predicting prejudice among low-identified group members. Prejudice of native Israelis toward Russian immigrants, as well as their perceptions of the 4 types of threats posed by these immigrants, was assessed among 104 participants. Regression analyses revealed that realistic threats were more influential in predicting prejudice for high identifiers than for low identifiers, whereas intergroup anxiety was more influential in predicting prejudice for low identifiers than for high identifiers. High and low identifiers did not differ in regard to the relative influence of the symbolic threat and negative stereotypes. The results are discussed in relation to the integrated threat theory of prejudice and in the context of the relations between veteran Israelis and Russian immigrants.
The advantages of applying confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to multitrait–multimethod (MTMM) data are widely recognized. However, because CFA, as traditionally applied to MTMM data, incorporates single indicators of each scale (i.e., each trait–method combination), important weaknesses are the failure to (a) correct appropriately for measurement error in scale scores, (b) separate error due to low internal consistency from uniqueness due to weak trait or method effects, (c) test whether items or subscales accurately reflect the intended factor structure, and (d) test for correlated uniquenesses. However, when the analysis begins with multiple indicators of each scale (i.e., items or subscales), second-order factor analysis can be used to address each of these problems. In this approach, first-order factors defined by multiple items or subscales are posited for each scale, and the method and trait factors are posited as second-order factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)