We both wanted it! The impact of contact meta-perceptions on the effectiveness of an imagined contact task

Abstract

The present study examined if and how contact meta-perceptions might affect the impact of imagined contact on a wide range of intergroup outcomes. 260 Italian university students were randomly allocated to imagine an encounter with a Chinese immigrant (experimental group) or an ingroup member (control group). We then examined if believing that the encounter had been sought only by themselves or by both themselves and the outgroup member (i.e., contact meta-perceptions) could affect the effectiveness of the imagination task, considering also the role of previous direct contact. A significant condition x contact meta-perceptions interaction effect emerged on many intergroup outcomes (i.e., emotions, empathy, trust, outgroup norms, stereotypes, and self-disclosure). Imagined contact was more effective when participants perceived that both themselves and the outgroup member desired contact, with previous direct contact having limited influence. These findings highlight the importance of mutual desire for contact in improving intergroup relations.