INTERGROUP RATIO AND THE CONTACT HYPOTHESIS

Authors
Citation
D. Nesdale et P. Todd, INTERGROUP RATIO AND THE CONTACT HYPOTHESIS, Journal of applied social psychology, 28(13), 1998, pp. 1196-1217
Citations number
46
Categorie Soggetti
Psychology, Social
ISSN journal
00219029
Volume
28
Issue
13
Year of publication
1998
Pages
1196 - 1217
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-9029(1998)28:13<1196:IRATCH>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
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.