Positive expectations encourage generalization from a positive intergroup interaction to outgroup attitudes.

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Intergroup Relations
• Attitude Formation

Background:

• Intergroup contact is a key strategy for reducing prejudice.
• The impact of intergroup contact on attitudes may depend on contextual factors.
• Expectations about social interactions can influence their outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how expectations influence the relationship between intergroup contact quality and outgroup attitudes.
• To determine if positive or negative expectations moderate the effects of intergroup contact.

Main Methods:

• Four studies were conducted involving intergroup interactions (e.g., between Black and White participants).
• Expectations about the interaction (positive or negative) were manipulated.
• Interaction quality was assessed, and its relationship with outgroup attitudes was examined.

Main Results:

• Positive expectations amplified the positive effects of contact quality on outgroup attitudes.
• Negative expectations restricted the positive effects of contact, leading to negative attitudes irrespective of interaction quality.
• When expectations were positive, interaction quality strongly predicted attitudes; when negative, attitudes remained negative.

Conclusions:

• Pre-interaction expectations significantly moderate the impact of intergroup contact on outgroup attitudes.
• Positive expectations are crucial for positive contact to translate into improved intergroup attitudes.
• Negative expectations can override the effects of positive interactions, solidifying negative outgroup attitudes.