Summary:
The Contact Hypothesis was proposed by Gordon Allport in 1954 and suggests that under the right conditions, intergroup contact can lead to more positive attitudes between groups that have historically been in conflict. Specifically, Allport argued that contact between groups, if conducted under conditions of cooperation, common goals, equal status, and institutional support, can reduce prejudice and foster mutual respect. His theory was revolutionary because it posited that direct interaction between members of different social or ethnic groups could lead to more harmonious relationships. This was in contrast to the prevailing notion at the time that simply increasing the contact between groups might exacerbate tensions.
Key Concepts of the Contact Hypothesis:
- Cooperation: Groups must work together towards shared goals, rather than engaging in competitive behavior.
- Common Goals: There must be mutual objectives that unite the groups, making them see each other as partners rather than adversaries.
- Equal Status: The groups must have equal standing in the context of their interactions, reducing power imbalances that could lead to discrimination.
- Institutional Support: There must be backing from authorities or institutions to ensure the contact is sanctioned and structured in a way that promotes positive outcomes.
Since Allport’s proposal, the Contact Hypothesis has been rigorously tested, yielding significant support for the idea that intergroup contact can reduce prejudice. Studies have shown that this effect can occur not only through direct, face-to-face contact but also in more indirect forms such as vicarious contact (e.g., seeing people from different groups getting along in the media) and imagined contact (e.g., simply imagining interacting with members of another group). Over time, the theory has expanded into Contact Theory, which continues to shape social psychology, particularly in contexts of racial, ethnic, and social group relations.
An Application:
One significant application of the Contact Hypothesis is in the context of intergroup relations and conflict resolutionin post-conflict societies. For example, in regions like Northern Ireland or Bosnia and Herzegovina, where historical tensions between ethnic or religious groups have led to violence and deep divisions, the Contact Hypothesis has been used as a framework to foster peace and reconciliation.
In these contexts, structured contact interventions have been implemented, where individuals from different, historically opposing groups are encouraged to work together toward shared goals in settings that ensure equal status and institutional support. Programs that focus on cooperative learning and shared community projects help reduce prejudice by creating positive interactions that challenge stereotypes and build mutual respect. For instance, youth from different ethnic backgrounds might collaborate on community service projects, where the focus on common goals reduces competition and fosters teamwork.
Research has shown that when the conditions of the Contact Hypothesis (cooperation, equal status, common goals, and institutional support) are met, the result is a decrease in intergroup hostility and a reduction in prejudice (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006; Tropp & Pettigrew, 2005). These interventions not only help reduce tensions but also pave the way for a more integrated and harmonious society in the long run.
Can you devise a team building exercise based on the contact principles?
Key References:
Allport, G. W. (1954). The Nature of Prejudice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
This is the seminal text in which Allport first outlined the Contact Hypothesis and described the conditions necessary for intergroup contact to reduce prejudice.
Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2006). A meta-analytic test of the contact hypothesis. Psychological Science, 17(4), 315-324.
This study provides a comprehensive meta-analysis of the research supporting the Contact Hypothesis and its effectiveness in reducing intergroup prejudice.
Tropp, L. R., & Pettigrew, T. F. (2005). Relationships between intergroup contact and prejudice among minority and majority status groups. Psychological Science, 16(12), 951-957.
This paper expands on the Contact Hypothesis by exploring the specific conditions under which contact is most effective at reducing prejudice in both minority and majority groups.
