Intergroup contact and social outcomes for mainstreamed EMR adolescents

The prediction of the contact hypothesis, that contact between nonretarded and EMR adolescents would result in the EMR adolescents being viewed as more competent, likeable, and socially acceptable, was examined. Subjects were 26 mainstreamed EMR adolescents. Likeability, competency, and acceptability scores were computed for each subject on the basis of responses by nonretarded (n = 382) and EMR classmates (n = 56) to a survey questionnaire. Intergroup contact did not significantly modify the attitudes of nonretarded classmates toward the EMR subjects, who were viewed as significantly more competent, likeable, and socially acceptable by EMR classmates in the special class than by nonretarded classmates in the mainstream class.