Effects of intergroup contact and relative gratification vs. deprivation on prejudice on both sides of the U.S./Mexico status divide

Anja Eller,Stephen C Wright,Dominic Abrams,Ben Davies

doi:10.1111/jasp.12669

Anja Eller, Stephen C Wright + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12669

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Abstract

AbstractA study in the U.S.–Mexican intergroup context examined how collective relative gratification (RG) versus deprivation affects the relationship between intergroup contact and interpersonal closeness and subtle prejudice towards an out‐group. Participants were Mexican university students in Mexico (N = 239) and non‐Mexican students in California (N = 90). As predicted, Mexicans experienced less gratification/higher relative deprivation (RD), and low quality intergroup contact and expressed lower interpersonal closeness and higher subtle prejudice than U.S. Americans. Differences between countries were larger amongst participants reporting higher RD. Second‐stage moderated mediation analysis showed that the mediating effects of contact between country and interpersonal closeness and subtle prejudice, respectively, were larger amongst participants who felt relatively gratified than those who felt relatively deprived. These findings underline the importance of recognizing the moderating effect of differences in the RG versus RD levels of minority and majority groups when anticipating the potential benefits of intergroup contact for prejudice reduction.

Highlights

This article examines whether the feelings of relative gratification (RG) or relative deprivation (RD) (Crosby, 1982), which are likely to be associated with membership of low- and high-status groups, respectively, moderate the relationship between the quality of intergroup contact and interpersonal closeness and subtle prejudice towards the out-group
We found that the effects of contact on interpersonal closeness and subtle prejudice were somewhat weaker among participants from the low-status group (Mexicans) than those from the high-status group (Americans)
This research has shown how perceptions of RD/RG associated with status differentials between groups can shape the effects of intergroup contact on perceived interpersonal closeness and prejudice towards an out-group

Summary

Introduction

This article examines whether the feelings of relative gratification (RG) or relative deprivation (RD) (Crosby, 1982), which are likely to be associated with membership of low- and high-status groups, respectively, moderate the relationship between the quality of intergroup contact and interpersonal closeness and subtle prejudice towards the out-group. In his widely cited reformulation of Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis, Pettigrew (1998a) explicitly drew attention to the societal context within, which intergroup contact takes place. The key question investigated in the present research is: How might intergroup RG or RD help or hinder the effectiveness of intergroup contact in creating personal connections with the out-group and improving intergroup attitudes when group status is unequal?

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