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The effect of intergroup contact on discrimination

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  • Lenz, Lisa
  • Mittlaender, Sergio

Abstract

This article investigates the causal effect of intergroup contact on statistical and taste-based discrimination as well as on the associated anticipation effects of the latter, leading to reduced intergroup trust. In our experiment, individuals are randomly assigned to teams comprising in-group and out-group members or to homogeneous teams, interact in a cooperative task, and subsequently play different games apt to elicit their discriminatory tastes and beliefs concerning the productivity of in-groups and out-groups. Our contact intervention remedied taste-based discrimination by around 45% but had no significant impact on intergroup trust and on statistical discrimination. Derived lessons for policy makers concerned with the reduction of discrimination involve features that inclusive policies should strive for by changing preferences or beliefs, and thereby reducing different types of discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Lenz, Lisa & Mittlaender, Sergio, 2022. "The effect of intergroup contact on discrimination," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:89:y:2022:i:c:s0167487022000022
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2022.102483
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    Cited by:

    1. Gwen-Jiro Clochard, 2022. "Contact Interventions: A Meta-Analysis," Working Papers 2022-14, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    2. Chuah, Swee-Hoon & Gächter, Simon & Hoffmann, Robert & Tan, Jonathan H.W., 2023. "Who discriminates? Evidence from a trust game experiment across three societies," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    3. Schütt, Christoph A., 2023. "The effect of perceived similarity and social proximity on the formation of prosocial preferences," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Contact hypothesis; Group identity; Discrimination; Social preferences; Intergroup conflict;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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