The Dynamics of Intergroup Contact: Exploring the Impacts of Self-Involvement, Richness of Self-Outgroup Experience, and Interpersonal Information on Intergroup Bias toward Asian Americans

Abstract

The recent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes underscores the urgency of improving interracial relationships in the U.S. This dissertation featured two experiments that examined factors that influenced the effect of indirect intergroup contact on the reduction of intergroup bias. Study 1 featured an experiment with a sample of 1,072 Caucasians in the United States to explore how self-involvement and richness of self-outgroup experience influenced the outcomes of indirect intergroup contact, based on Harwood’s (2010) Contact Space model. Participants indirectly interacted with an outgroup member by either observing an ingroup-outgroup interaction or by imagining it, which reflected different levels of richness. And, the ingroup member they observed or imagined was a stranger, a friend, or themselves, reflecting different levels of self-involvement. The results indicated that compared with the ingroup member was an ingroup friend or an ingroup stranger, participants engaged in intergroup encounters themselves increased inclusion of the ingroup member in the self and empathy toward the outgroup, thus improving intergroup relationships, even when individuals perceived high intergroup anxiety. Furthermore, the absence of the ingroup member’s profile photo during observing contact did not enhance observers’ identification with the ingroup member. Study 2 examined how the presence of interpersonal information about the relationship between the ingroup member and the outgroup during either positive or negative vicarious contact affected the outcomes of intergroup contact. A total of 672 Caucasians were recruited in the United States to examine how the presence of interpersonal information about the relationship between the ingroup member and the outgroup member during either positive or negative vicarious contact affects the outcomes of intergroup contact. The results demonstrated that knowing interpersonal relationship between the ingroup member and the outgroup member weakened observers’ identification with the ingroup member, and ultimately diminished the effect of intergroup contact on mitigating intergroup bias. This dissertation broadens the understanding of intergroup contact dynamics by testing previously unconfirmed conjectures within Harwood’s Contact Space model, specifically examining how self-involvement and richness influence the effectiveness of intergroup contact. Furthermore, it addresses gaps in the model concerning intergroup contact content by investigating how the co-occurrence of intergroup and interpersonal impression formation impacts the outcomes of intergroup contact. Practical suggestions are also provided for future campaigns aimed at improving intergroup relationships.

Date of Award	11 Sept 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	City University of Hong Kong
Supervisor	Yue DAI (Supervisor) & Li Crystal JIANG (Co-supervisor)