In 1954, Social psychologist Gordon Allport came up with his theory of Contact Hypothesis. He believed that prejudice, preconceptions, and the desire to discriminate would lessen if individuals with different social characteristics had the opportunity to get to know one another and interact. Fast forward to the present, and one of the world’s greatest resources is the internet. The Internet creates a protected environment for users with more control over the communication process. The internet’s ability to connect all types of groups with those they may never meet in person is a resource proving invaluable to social psychology.
As stated in Yair Amichai-Hamburger and Katelyn Y. A. McKenna’s article, “The Contact Hypothesis Reconsidered: Interacting via the Internet” the major challenges of the contact hypothesis are:
(1) The practicality issue: Contact between rival groups according to the conditions required by the contact hypothesis might be very complicated to arrange and expensive to run.
(2) Anxiety: Even though participation in a contact is voluntary, the high anxiety involved in the contact situation may hinder its success.
(3) Generalization: How can a generalization be created from a specific contact with certain outgroup members to the outgroup as a whole?” (2017)
For many decades these dilemmas have created issues for researchers, and through the internet all now have solutions.
Electronic means of communication have created opportunities for connections that were not previously possible back in 1954. People can now be brought “together” despite physical distance and time differences, at least in advanced countries. Electronic meetings don’t require a lot of setup money and typically take up little of a participant’s time. There are many benefits to having participants participate in the contact from the comfort of their own homes. Participants may feel less nervous and more at ease in their familiar settings.
Through the means of the internet, users no longer face language barriers and anxiety responses, and with generative AI and other technological advances, intergroup communication is improved. Its special qualities make the perfect basis for this form of interaction; for instance, participants can establish a safe space, lessen anxiety, bridge geographical gaps, promote equality of other groups and beliefs, improve communication without language barriers, and by utilizing the contact hypothesis theory, an overall improvement in society will happen.
Reference:
Yair Amichai-Hamburger, Katelyn Y. A. McKenna, The Contact Hypothesis Reconsidered: Interacting via the Internet, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Volume 11, Issue 3, 1 April 2006, Pages 825–843, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00037.x
Tags: #AppliedSocialPsychology, #contacthypothesis, #intergroupcontact, psych424
In my view, your blog post offers valuable insights into conflict management and resolution, particularly through approaches like the contact hypothesis and the GRIT strategy (Pg. 409). It underscores the importance of fostering positive interactions between conflicting groups but rightly emphasizes that mere contact is insufficient without addressing underlying issues like status equality and shared goals. Considering the groups described in the vignette, I believe that increasing contact between them could indeed be beneficial in reducing conflict, provided it’s accompanied by measures to promote cooperation and trust-building. However, it’s essential to recognize that successful conflict reduction requires a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying tensions alongside increasing contact.
Gruman, J.A., Schneider, F.W., and Coutts, L.M. (Eds.) (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
Your post optimistically highlights the potential of the internet as a medium for applying Allport’s Contact Hypothesis. I think it is important, however, to examine whether online interactions can effectively facilitate the conditions necessary for prejudice reduction as outlined by Allport.
Research indicates that the anonymity and distance provided by the internet can sometimes exacerbate, rather than diminish, intergroup tensions. For example, the “online disinhibition effect,” as described by Suler (2004), suggests that people may feel more liberated to express prejudice and hostility online due to the lack of immediate social feedback and the anonymity the internet affords. This effect can undermine the establishment of equal status contact and the pursuit of common goals.
While the internet breaks down geographical barriers, it does not automatically promote equal status among participants. Online platforms can replicate and amplify existing social hierarchies and power dynamics, potentially reinforcing prejudices rather than diminishing them. Without careful moderation and the intentional creation of spaces that foster equity and mutual respect, merely bringing diverse groups together online likely will not achieve the desired outcomes.
It is also crucial to consider the barriers preventing access to technology across different social, economic, and geographical groups. The digital divide can limit the potential for diverse intergroup contact, as not all individuals have equal access to the internet and digital literacy skills necessary for meaningful engagement online. The internet, while having the potential to bridge divides and remove barriers, often fosters further prejudice and outrageous displays of hatred that users feel empowered to exhibit behind the safety of their screens.
Reference:
Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 7(3), 321-326. https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295