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Reducing prejudice through actual and imagined contact: A field experiment with Malawian shopkeepers and Chinese immigrants

Author

Listed:
  • Gu, Jun
  • Mueller, Annika
  • Nielsen, Ingrid
  • Shachat, Jason
  • Smyth, Russell

Abstract

We examine the ability of intergroup contact to ameliorate the effect of in-group bias on economic outcomes. Specifically, we employ randomized experiments to test whether actual and imagined contact is effective in reducing prejudice between indigenous Malawian shopkeepers (in-group), and their Chinese immigrant counterparts (out-group), and test the stability of these changes over time. We find differing results with actual contact. Local Malawians´ attitude towards Chinese migrants did not improve, but their willingness to spend time did. In contrast, actual contact spurred improvement in the Chinese migrants´ attitude toward local Malawians, but did not increase their willingness to spend time with them. These effects persisted over a time period of at least ten days. Imagined contact had no impact on Malawians´ attitude or behavioral intention with respect to Chinese migrants

Suggested Citation

  • Gu, Jun & Mueller, Annika & Nielsen, Ingrid & Shachat, Jason & Smyth, Russell, 2015. "Reducing prejudice through actual and imagined contact: A field experiment with Malawian shopkeepers and Chinese immigrants," Working Papers on East Asian Studies 105/2015, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of East Asian Studies IN-EAST.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:udedao:1052015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Chinese migrants in Africa; actual contact; imagined contact; prejudice; field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations

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