TY - JOUR

T1 - Beyond the optimal strategy: A 'reality check' for the contact hypothesis.

AU - Dixon, John A.

AU - Durrheim, Kevin

AU - Tredoux, Colin

N1 - Dixon was first and lead author. He wrote the article, which draws together several themes in his collaborative work with Durrheim and Tredoux. The article was also based on research that was co-funded by grants awarded to Dixon by the ESRC (RES-000-22-0396) and the British Academcy (SG-32306) RAE_import_type : Journal article RAE_uoa_type : Psychology

PY - 2005/1/1

Y1 - 2005/1/1

N2 - The contact hypothesis proposes that interaction between members of different groups reduces intergroup prejudice if--and only if--certain optimal conditions are present. For over 50 years, research using this framework has explored the boundary conditions for ideal contact and has guided interventions to promote desegregation. Although supporting the contact hypothesis in principle, the authors critique some research practices that have come to dominate the field: (a) the prioritizing of the study of interactions occurring under rarefied conditions, (b) the reformulation of lay understandings of contact in terms of a generic typology of ideal dimensions, and (c) the use of shifts in personal prejudice as the primary measure of outcome. The authors argue that these practices have limited the contact hypothesis both as an explanation of the intergroup dynamics of desegregation and as a framework for promoting social psychological change. In so arguing, the authors look toward a complementary program of research on contact and desegregation.

AB - The contact hypothesis proposes that interaction between members of different groups reduces intergroup prejudice if--and only if--certain optimal conditions are present. For over 50 years, research using this framework has explored the boundary conditions for ideal contact and has guided interventions to promote desegregation. Although supporting the contact hypothesis in principle, the authors critique some research practices that have come to dominate the field: (a) the prioritizing of the study of interactions occurring under rarefied conditions, (b) the reformulation of lay understandings of contact in terms of a generic typology of ideal dimensions, and (c) the use of shifts in personal prejudice as the primary measure of outcome. The authors argue that these practices have limited the contact hypothesis both as an explanation of the intergroup dynamics of desegregation and as a framework for promoting social psychological change. In so arguing, the authors look toward a complementary program of research on contact and desegregation.

U2 - 10.1037/0003-066X.60.7.697

DO - 10.1037/0003-066X.60.7.697

M3 - Journal article

VL - 60

SP - 697

EP - 711

JO - American Psychologist

JF - American Psychologist

SN - 1935-990X

IS - 7

ER -