Positive and negative intergroup contact: Evidence of their interactions in a child sample.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Positive and negative intergroup contact: Evidence of their interactions in a child sample.
Authors: Trifiletti, Elena, Shamloo, Soraya Elizabeth, Burro, Roberto, Vicentini, Giada, Raccanello, Daniela
Source: Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. Sep2024, Vol. 34 Issue 5, p1-16. 16p.
Subjects: Interpersonal relations in children, Research funding, Prejudices, Empirical research, Social theory, Age distribution, Communication, Social skills, Trust, Social support, Group process, Educational attainment, Social classes
Geographic Terms: Italy
Abstract: Research has demonstrated that positive intergroup contact improves intergroup relations among children. However, empirical evidence about how positive and negative intergroup contact relates to intergroup outcomes at different ages is scant. By combining theories and empirical evidence in social and developmental psychology, this study aimed to examine positive and negative intergroup contact in a sample of N = 394, 9 and 12‐year‐old Italian children (females and males). We expected to find interactive effects of positive and negative intergroup contact on outgroup trust and behavioural intentions. Furthermore, for both types of contact, we predicted that associations with intergroup outcomes (outgroup trust, behavioural intentions) would be stronger among older than younger children. Results provided support for the interactive effects of positive and negative intergroup contact (bs ≥.08, ps ≤.08, interaction coefficients), but not for age‐related differences. Negative intergroup contact facilitated the effects of positive intergroup contact and positive intergroup contact buffered the effects of negative intergroup contact. These findings suggest that intergroup relations in childhood can be improved by creating opportunities for positive intergroup contact in educational and social settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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Abstract:Research has demonstrated that positive intergroup contact improves intergroup relations among children. However, empirical evidence about how positive and negative intergroup contact relates to intergroup outcomes at different ages is scant. By combining theories and empirical evidence in social and developmental psychology, this study aimed to examine positive and negative intergroup contact in a sample of N = 394, 9 and 12‐year‐old Italian children (females and males). We expected to find interactive effects of positive and negative intergroup contact on outgroup trust and behavioural intentions. Furthermore, for both types of contact, we predicted that associations with intergroup outcomes (outgroup trust, behavioural intentions) would be stronger among older than younger children. Results provided support for the interactive effects of positive and negative intergroup contact (bs ≥.08, ps ≤.08, interaction coefficients), but not for age‐related differences. Negative intergroup contact facilitated the effects of positive intergroup contact and positive intergroup contact buffered the effects of negative intergroup contact. These findings suggest that intergroup relations in childhood can be improved by creating opportunities for positive intergroup contact in educational and social settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:10529284
DOI:10.1002/casp.2871