INTERGROUP RATIO AND THE CONTACT HYPOTHESIS

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.