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Does Touch Bring Us Closer? Exploring the Role of Physical Contact in Intergroup Contexts.

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Title: Does Touch Bring Us Closer? Exploring the Role of Physical Contact in Intergroup Contexts.
Authors: Shamloo, Soraya Elizabeth (AUTHOR), Carnaghi, Andrea (AUTHOR), Trifiletti, Elena (AUTHOR)
Source: European Journal of Social Psychology. Apr2026, Vol. 56 Issue 3, p551-565. 15p.
Subjects: Cross-sectional method, Touch, Empirical research, High school students, Affinity groups, Gay men, Statistical sampling, Group dynamics, Social groups, Structural equation modeling, Descriptive statistics, Analysis of covariance, Multivariate analysis, Longitudinal method, Social integration, Experimental design, Interpersonal relations, Factor analysis, Data analysis software, Confidence intervals, People with disabilities, Friendship
Geographic Terms: Italy
Abstract: The role of physical contact (PC) (e.g., touch) in interpersonal relationships is well documented, yet its effects in intergroup contexts remain underinvestigated. We examine whether positive intergroup physical contact (IPC) enhances perceived closeness with out‐group members, measured as inclusion of the out‐group in the self (IOS), and test its mediating role in improving intergroup attitudes. In Study 1 (longitudinal; N = 550), PC with foreign peers longitudinally predicted IOS. In Study 2 (cross‐sectional; N = 377), PC with people with disabilities was associated with IOS, which in turn was linked to out‐group attitudes. In Study 3 (experimental; N = 86), imagined PC with a gay man versus an uncategorized individual increased heterosexual individuals' IOS with gay men, which in turn improved out‐group attitudes. Using multiple research methods and intergroup settings, we show that positive IPC improves attitudes towards the out‐group by enhancing experienced closeness with out‐group members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of European Journal of Social Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Does Touch Bring Us Closer? Exploring the Role of Physical Contact in Intergroup Contexts.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shamloo%2C+Soraya+Elizabeth%22">Shamloo, Soraya Elizabeth</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carnaghi%2C+Andrea%22">Carnaghi, Andrea</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Trifiletti%2C+Elena%22">Trifiletti, Elena</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22European+Journal+of+Social+Psychology%22">European Journal of Social Psychology</searchLink>. Apr2026, Vol. 56 Issue 3, p551-565. 15p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cross-sectional+method%22">Cross-sectional method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Touch%22">Touch</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empirical+research%22">Empirical research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+school+students%22">High school students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Affinity+groups%22">Affinity groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gay+men%22">Gay men</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+sampling%22">Statistical sampling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Group+dynamics%22">Group dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+groups%22">Social groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+equation+modeling%22">Structural equation modeling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Descriptive+statistics%22">Descriptive statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Analysis+of+covariance%22">Analysis of covariance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multivariate+analysis%22">Multivariate analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Longitudinal+method%22">Longitudinal method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+integration%22">Social integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experimental+design%22">Experimental design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Factor+analysis%22">Factor analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+analysis+software%22">Data analysis software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Confidence+intervals%22">Confidence intervals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22People+with+disabilities%22">People with disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Friendship%22">Friendship</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The role of physical contact (PC) (e.g., touch) in interpersonal relationships is well documented, yet its effects in intergroup contexts remain underinvestigated. We examine whether positive intergroup physical contact (IPC) enhances perceived closeness with out‐group members, measured as inclusion of the out‐group in the self (IOS), and test its mediating role in improving intergroup attitudes. In Study 1 (longitudinal; N = 550), PC with foreign peers longitudinally predicted IOS. In Study 2 (cross‐sectional; N = 377), PC with people with disabilities was associated with IOS, which in turn was linked to out‐group attitudes. In Study 3 (experimental; N = 86), imagined PC with a gay man versus an uncategorized individual increased heterosexual individuals' IOS with gay men, which in turn improved out‐group attitudes. Using multiple research methods and intergroup settings, we show that positive IPC improves attitudes towards the out‐group by enhancing experienced closeness with out‐group members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of European Journal of Social Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192765132
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1002/ejsp.70061
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 551
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Cross-sectional method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Touch
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empirical research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: High school students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affinity groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gay men
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group dynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural equation modeling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Analysis of covariance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Multivariate analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Longitudinal method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social integration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experimental design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Factor analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confidence intervals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: People with disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Friendship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Italy
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Does Touch Bring Us Closer? Exploring the Role of Physical Contact in Intergroup Contexts.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
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      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Shamloo, Soraya Elizabeth
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Carnaghi, Andrea
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Trifiletti, Elena
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 00462772
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              Value: 56
            – Type: issue
              Value: 3
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: European Journal of Social Psychology
              Type: main
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