Positive-negative asymmetry of intergroup contact: A dynamic approach
Empirical Social Research
Final Report Abstract
The project was very successful. Our results provide crucial insights into the interplay of positive and negative intergroup contact effects. We provided evidence regarding several theoretical advances in the field of positive and negative intergroup contact. Furthermore, we introduced experimental games as an innovative tool to examine dynamic intergroup contact effects in a controlled setting. First, we demonstrated, that an increase in intensity of positive intergroup contact had a stronger effect on the effects of positive contact on intergroup attitudes, than an increase in the intensity of negative intergroup contact had on the effects of negative contact on intergroup attitudes. Not only do we provide correlational evidence regarding these hypothesis from a highly relevant applied context with a cross-sectional sample (Study 7, wave 1) of White British (N = 1520) and Asian British (N = 1474), we furthermore tested this idea with two experiments (Study 2: N = 87; Study 3: N = 169). This new insight helps to solve open questions from previous findings regarding potential asymmetries of positive and negative contact effects. Second, we provided evidence, that in repeated positive and negative intergroup contact experience, the valence of previous experiences matters for the effects of subsequent intergroup contact within individuals. We therefore employed a behavioural game paradigm to study intergroup contact effects, which is an innovative approach in the field and received very positive feedback in the scientific community. This paradigm was used with two studies in the lab (N=89, N=20). Furthermore we started the development of an online version of this paradigm (N=124). Overall, this research employed innovative methods of data-observation and furthermore used recent developments (i.e. Dynamic Structural Equation Models) to analyse the complex data-structure adequately. Finally, the project yielded a unique database in the emerging field of research on joint effects of positive and negative intergroup contact, which will lead to high-ranking publications within our field and inform several important works in the field of positive and negative intergroup contact research.
