On the Generalization of Intergroup Contact: A Taxonomy of Transfer Effects

Abstract

The contact hypothesis proposes that bringing groups together under favorable conditions can improve intergroup relations. It is now well established that intergroup contact can improve attitudes not only toward the out-group as a whole but also toward other, noncontacted groups ( secondary transfer effect). We review evidence of a further, higher-order generalization effect whereby intergroup contact also impacts more general cognitive processes outside of the intergroup context (i.e., tertiary transfer effects). We present a taxonomy of transfer effects that explains these generalization effects as distinct outcomes of the contact process yet contingent on the same component process, specifically, the assessment of the semantic distance between the target (e.g., contacted individual) and the frame (e.g., group prototype). This conceptualization provides an explanatory framework for uniting the disparate forms of transfer effect in the contact literature, clarifying why primary and secondary transfer effects are facilitated by low semantic distance and why contact is more cognitively demanding under conditions of high semantic distance, but with greater potential for cognitive growth.

Conditional secondary transfer effect: The moderating role of moral credentials and prejudice

“…However, the strong moral norm and subsequent moral behavior favoring outgroup members may intervene and act against the effect of negative contact, thereby also inhibiting a negative STE. Meleady et al (2019) argued that contact that challenges stereotypic expectations should promote a processing style that avoids the use of immediately and habitually accessible knowledge. It seems that moral norms and instigated moral intergroup behavior may challenge the intergroup attitudes of prejudiced individuals and prevent the STE of their negative contact experiences.…”

Reducing prejudice in the society at large: A review of the secondary transfer effect and directions for future research

“…The effects of contact may in fact extend beyond improving outgroup attitudes; contact can provide a new lens to interpret and handle reality; it can challenge one's worldview and favor cognitive growth, empowering individuals also by fostering greater cognitive flexibility and problem‐solving skills. This type of generalization has been labelled “tertiary transfer effect” (Meleady, Crisp, Hodson, & Earle, 2019; see also; Boin et al., 2021).…”

The generalization of intergroup contact effects: Emerging research, policy relevance, and future directions

“…Finally, contact with diverse others is also linked to higher productivity, better problem‐solving skills, and greater cognitive flexibility. This potential of intergroup contact to influence more general cognitive processes beyond intergroup relations has been coined the tertiary transfer effect of intergroup contact (Meleady et al., 2019).…”

“…Recently, Meleady et al. (2019) suggested a higher‐order generalization effect of intergroup contact on cognitive processes that transcends the realm of intergroup relations, the so‐called tertiary transfer effect of intergroup contact. The tertiary transfer effect refers to a process whereby interactions with outgroup members result in greater cognitive flexibility, coined cognitive liberalization (Hodson et al., 2018).…”

“…Meleady et al. (2019) argue that all three types of transfer effects are contingent on semantic distance (the degree of relatedness or similarity) between a target (e.g., contacted individual) and a frame (e.g., group prototype) in semantic networks. For primary transfer effects to occur, the contact partner must be recognized as representing the given outgroup (Hewstone, 1994), implying high similarity or a low semantic distance between the outgroup member and the outgroup prototype.…”