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An experimental study of the effect of intergroup contact on attitudes in urban China

Author

Listed:
  • Jun Gu

    (Monash University, Australia)

  • Ingrid Nielsen

    (Deakin University, Australia)

  • Jason Shachat

    (Durham University, UK)

  • Russell Smyth

    (Monash University, Australia)

  • Yujia Peng

    (Xiamen University, China)

Abstract

A large body of literature attests to the growing social divide between urban residents and rural–urban migrants in China’s cities. This study uses a randomised experiment to test the effect of intergroup contact on attitudes between a group of urban adolescents and a group of rural–urban migrant adolescents. Results showed that intergroup contact in the form of a fun and cooperative puzzle task significantly reduced negative attitudes toward the other group. Implications for desegregated schooling and their broader societal implications in China are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jun Gu & Ingrid Nielsen & Jason Shachat & Russell Smyth & Yujia Peng, 2016. "An experimental study of the effect of intergroup contact on attitudes in urban China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(14), pages 2991-3006, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:53:y:2016:i:14:p:2991-3006
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098015598730
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Weiping Wu, 2004. "Sources of Migrant Housing Disadvantage in Urban China," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 36(7), pages 1285-1304, July.
    2. Zhang, Zhong-Xiang, 2007. "China is moving away the pattern of "develop first and then treat the pollution"," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 3547-3549, July.
    3. Zhongshan Yue & Shuzhuo Li & Xiaoyi Jin & Marcus W. Feldman, 2013. "The Role of Social Networks in the Integration of Chinese Rural–Urban Migrants: A Migrant–Resident Tie Perspective," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(9), pages 1704-1723, July.
    4. Ingrid Nielsen & Chris Nyland & Russell Smyth & Mingqiong Zhang & Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu, 2006. "Effects of Intergroup Contact on Attitudes of Chinese Urban Residents to Migrant Workers," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 43(3), pages 475-490, March.
    5. Zhiming Cheng & Haining Wang & Russell Smyth, 2014. "Happiness and job satisfaction in urban China: A comparative study of two generations of migrants and urban locals," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(10), pages 2160-2184, August.
    6. Zhiming Cheng & Mark Wang & Junhua Chen (ed.), 2014. "Urban China in the New Era," Springer Books, Springer, edition 127, number 978-3-642-54227-5, April.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Timo Heinrich & Jason Shachat, 2020. "The development of risk aversion and prudence in Chinese children and adolescents," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 263-287, December.
    2. Maiti, Surya Nath & Pakrashi, Debayan & Saha, Sarani & Smyth, Russell, 2022. "Don't judge a book by its cover: The role of intergroup contact in reducing prejudice in conflict settings," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 533-548.
    3. Sen Xue, 2018. "Does contact improve attitudes towards migrants in China? : Evidence from urban residents," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 26(2), pages 149-200, April.
    4. Cheng, Zhiming & Smyth, Russell, 2021. "Education and migrant entrepreneurship in urban China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 506-529.
    5. Jun Gu & Annika Mueller & Ingrid Nielsen & Jason Shachat & Russell Smyth, 2015. "An experimental study of contact effects and their persistence on Malawian shopkeepers’ willingness to spend future time with their Chinese counterparts," Monash Economics Working Papers 04-15, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    6. An Huang & Paulo Santos & Russell Smyth, 2023. "Paddy and Prejudice: Evidence on the Agricultural Origins of Prejudice from China and 12 other Asian Societies," Monash Economics Working Papers 2023-02, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    7. Zhilin Liu & Yiming Tan & Yanwei Chai, 2020. "Neighbourhood-scale public spaces, inter-group attitudes and migrant integration in Beijing, China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(12), pages 2491-2509, September.

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