The idea that intergroup contact will reduce prejudice, known as the contact hypothesis, is simple: If children from different ethnic groups play together in school, their attitudes toward each other should improve.

Why does contact between groups reduce prejudice?

Researchers have suggested that contact between groups can reduce prejudice because it reduces feelings of anxiety (people may be anxious about interacting with members of a group they have had little contact with).

Why is intergroup contact important?

While promoting positive intergroup attitudes, intergroup contact can enhance (inaccurate) expectations that the disadvantaged group will be treated fairly by the advantaged group (Saguy et al., 2009), promote a common ingroup identity (Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000) reduce anger toward the outgroup (Tausch, Saguay, & ...