Modes of intergroup contact: If and how to interact with the outgroup

Abstract

The modes of intergroup contact, both direct and indirect, have become a focal point for the contact literature over the past decade or more. As part of our developing understanding of when and why certain types of contact improve intergroup relations, this paper examines some theoretical concepts useful for organizing modes of contact, building on previous schemes in the literature. It explores the idea that experiences in one type of contact generalize to other modes of contact. It then considers the degree to which individuals have choice about which mode of contact to use, and indeed whether they have choice about having contact at all, as well as whether such choices are associated with the valence of the contact. These ideas are developed into a model of flexibility in if and how to engage in contact, including the positive and negative consequences thereof. The model contributes to the literature's ability to consider both whether contact occurs and how it happens in a single framework. The paper considers whether societal inequality is reflected in the kinds of contact choices available to those with privilege and those without.

Online intergroup contact and intergroup attitudes: A cross sectional and a longitudinal study of Greeks and Germans interacting on Twitter and Facebook

“…Besides this study, Gallagher et al (2021) provides another approach to future research. It would be also interesting to examine more generally the concept of media affordances, the different opportunities for contact that different media allow the interactants (Harwood, 2021).…”

“…Harwood (2010) also proposes, in his theoretical approach of the contact space, that online interactions allow users more space and time to control their feelings and possible emotional outbursts. As he also mentioned more recently, the level of control the individual has over whether and in what way they will engage in the contact may affect their experience, as lower control may lead to negative contact experiences (Harwood, 2021). The fact that social networking sites users seem to have more control over their contacts and how they will present themselves and their views should make them feel much more comfortable during the contact, thus limiting their intergroup anxiety, which is evident in face-to-face contact and may limit any intergroup positive effects.…”

“…According to Postmes et al (2002), during intergroup contact and communication via the Internet, the deindividuation process could lead to enhanced differentiation between groups on many levels that relate to stereotypes and prejudice (Postmes et al, 2002;Postmes et al, 2001;Spears & Postmes, 2015). Another important variable examined in the current study concerns the perceived quality of contact that individuals have with outgroup members as well as the observation of other ingroup members having positive interactions with outgroup members (Amichai-Hamburger, 2012;Harwood, 2010Harwood, , 2021. The more positively the intergroup contact is evaluated by the user the more positive effect it would have on intergroup attitudes.…”

“…In the current study, we examined several variables, such as prior contact, friendship, extended contact, intergroup anxiety, and national identification, which according to social psychology research (Allport, 1954;Brown & Hewstone, 2005;Gudykunst, 1993;Hogg, 2000;Hogg & Vaughan, 2008;Pettigrew, 1998;Vezzali et al, 2014), are related to intergroup attitudes. In order to examine the effects of intergroup contact on social networking sites, we also considered variables related to online contact: the sense of anonymity they provide to the users, the sense of control of the communication, the perceived quality of contact (Study 1), the tendency towards self-disclosure (Studies 1 and 2), and the vicarious contact quality (Study 2, Amichai-Hamburger, 2012;Harwood, 2010Harwood, , 2021.…”

Who is expected to make contact? Interpretative repertoires related to an intergroup encounter between Finnish majority mothers and immigrant mothers

“…Engaging in intergroup contact is often an agentic act, involving the choice to make and maintain contact. Intergroup encounters vary in terms of how much control people have over whether to engage in contact and which mode of contact to choose (Harwood, 2021 ). In some contexts, intergroup contact is volitional: contact occurs because an individual actively and intentionally seeks it.…”