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Intergroup Contact Reduces Dehumanization and Meta-Dehumanization: Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal, and
Emile Bruneau1,2, Boaz Hameiri1,2, Samantha L Moore-Berg1,2
1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|September 1, 2020
Summary
Positive intergroup contact reduces dehumanization and meta-dehumanization. This study shows that quality interactions decrease prejudice and the perception of outgroup hostility, benefiting intergroup relations.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Intergroup Relations
- Prejudice Reduction
Background:
- Dehumanization of outgroups and meta-dehumanization (perceiving outgroups as dehumanizing the ingroup) are significant barriers to positive intergroup relations.
- Understanding the factors that mitigate these negative perceptions is crucial for fostering social harmony.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of intergroup contact on both the blatant dehumanization of outgroups and the perception of meta-dehumanization.
- To investigate the role of contact quality in these processes across diverse samples and methodologies.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 12 survey samples (N=5,388) across five countries.
- A longitudinal study (N=1,103) examining contact quality and subsequent dehumanization.
- A quasi-experimental study (N=487) involving virtual intergroup contact.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis revealed a consistent effect of contact quality on reducing dehumanization and meta-dehumanization.
- Longitudinal data indicated that higher quality contact predicted lower dehumanization and meta-dehumanization six months later.
- Virtual contact significantly reduced dehumanization and perceived meta-dehumanization among American students.
Conclusions:
- The quality of intergroup contact is a robust predictor of reduced dehumanization and meta-dehumanization.
- Both direct and virtual forms of sustained contact can effectively mitigate negative intergroup perceptions.
- Findings underscore the importance of promoting positive intergroup interactions for prejudice reduction.
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