Journal Article

Enacting Cultural Interests: How Intergroup Contact Reduces Prejudice by Sparking Interest in an Out-Group's Culture

Brannon, Tiffany N., Walton, Gregory M.

2013

Overview

In the present research, we examined the hypothesis that cues of social connectedness to a member of another social group can spark interest in the group's culture, and that such interest, when freely enacted, contributes to reductions in intergroup prejudice. In two pilot studies and Experiment 1, we found that extant and desired cross-group friendships and cues of social connectedness to an out-group member predicted increased interest in the target group's culture. In Experiments 2 and 3, we manipulated cues of social connectedness between non–Latino American participants and a Latino American (i.e., Mexican American) peer and whether participants freely worked with this peer on a Mexican cultural task. This experience reduced the participants' implicit bias against Latinos, an effect that was mediated by increased cultural engagement, and, 6 months later in an unrelated context, improved intergroup outcomes (e.g., interest in interacting with Mexican Americans; Experiment 4). The Discussion section addresses the inter- and intragroup benefits of policies that encourage people to express and share diverse cultural interests in mainstream settings.

• Publisher: SAGE Publications,Sage Publications,SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subject: Asian Americans - psychology / Asian Continental Ancestry Group / Attitude / Attitudes / Behavior. Attitude / Bias / Biological and medical sciences / Canada / Connectedness / Cues / Cultural differences / Cultural Diversity / Cultural groups / Culture / European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology / Experimental psychology / Experiments / Female / Friendship / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Group dynamics / Group identity / Hispanic Americans / Humans / Intergroup contact / Intergroup relations / Interpersonal Relations / Latin American cultural groups / Male / Mexican Americans / Mexico / Out-groups / Peers / Pilot projects / Prejudice / Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry / Psychology. Psychophysiology / Racism - psychology / Social contact / Social Distance / Social group work / Social groups / Social Identification / Social interaction / Social interactions. Communication. Group processes / Social psychology / U.S.A / United States