This study assessed whether contact between members of 2 social groups
generalized to contact in another setting, as well as influenced thei
r intercultural knowledge and acceptance. Subjects were 244 internatio
nal (mainly ethnic Chinese) and Anglo-Australian students living in 3
student residence halls, with each group comprising a numerical majori
ty, equal proportion, and a numerical minority in one of the residenti
al halls. As anticipated, group ratio exerted a systematic effect on t
he amount of intercultural contact, with most contact by members of a
numerical minority, regardless of student group. importantly, the patt
ern of residence-hall contact tended to generalize to the wider univer
sity environment and to influence intercultural knowledge and acceptan
ce. However, contact was not unqualified in its effects, particularly
in relation to members of the cultural majority.