Spontaneous imagined contact and intergroup relations: Quality matters

Sofia Stathi,Gian Antonio Di Bernardo,Rita Guerra,Loris Vezzali

doi:10.1002/ejsp.2600

Abstract

AbstractWhile research on experimental interventions that aim to improve outgroup attitudes via contact imagery grows, it is important to examine if contact imagery that occurs in spontaneous, non‐experimentally controlled conditions drives attitudes, and in what direction. To answer this, we constructed and validated a spontaneous imagined intergroup contact scale (SIICS) that differentiates between frequency, quality and elaboration of the spontaneous imagery of outgroups. In three correlational studies (NPortugal = 305, NUnited Kingdom = 185, NItaly = 276), we tested the role of spontaneous imagined contact frequency, quality and elaboration in predicting attitudes and social distance (Studies 1–3) and intended behaviour (Study 3) toward immigrant groups. Results demonstrated that spontaneous imagined contact quality consistently predicted key outcome variables above and beyond the other two dimensions. Importantly, the effects were significant while controlling for other potent forms of direct and indirect contact. Implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed.

Highlights

While research on experimental interventions that aim to improve outgroup attitudes via 9 contact imagery grows, it is important to examine if contact imagery that occurs in spontaneous, non-experimentally controlled conditions drives attitudes, and in what direction
Given that experimentally manipulated mental imagery of contact predicts attitudes toward the outgroup (Miles & Crisp, 2014), we argue that it is important to 29 understand whether the spontaneous forms of imagined contact that occur outside the laboratory drive outgroup attitudes, and in which direction
We argue that in order to assess the association between spontaneous imagined intergroup contact and attitudes, we need to consider whether this association exists above and beyond existing contact with the outgroup

Summary

Introduction

While research on experimental interventions that aim to improve outgroup attitudes via 9 contact imagery grows, it is important to examine if contact imagery that occurs in spontaneous, non-experimentally controlled conditions drives attitudes, and in what direction. = 185, NItaly = 276), we tested the role of spontaneous imagined contact frequency, quality and elaboration in predicting attitudes and social distance (Studies 1-3) and intended behaviour (Study 3) toward immigrant groups. Intergroup contact scholars have explored the effectiveness of the technique in numerous contexts with a large array of targets, and contact is not a 13 panacea for prejudice (Dixon, Durrheim, & Tredoux, 2005), its fundamental role in ameliorating intergroup conflict has been clearly demonstrated (e.g., Al Ramiah & Hewstone, 2013; Hodson & Hewstone, 2013; Pettigrew, Tropp, Wagner, & Christ, 2011). Recent developments in the field of intergroup contact theory have pointed to novel theoretical and practical implications for intergroup relations scholars (Vezzali & Stathi, 2017), while much of the reignited interest in the field is driven by advances in indirect contact strategies (Dovidio, Eller, & Hewstone, 2011). Research over the last two decades demonstrated that 29 indirect contact, that is forms of contact without the face-to-face element, can improve intergroup relations

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Conclusion