Improving intergroup relation through humanization: The moderating role of negative direct contact and the mediating role of intergroup affect

Abstract

Research on the interplay between negative direct intergroup contact frequency and outgroup humanization in intergroup relations is limited. Thus, across two different intergroup settings (i.e., Switzerland and Kosovo; N = 435), we examined individuals' positive behavioural intentions towards outgroup members (i.e., immigrants in Study 1 and the Roma in Study 2) as a function of both negative direct intergroup contact and humanizing information versus positive but not humanizing information (both studies) and control/no information (Study 2). Results show that information portraying outgroup members in a humanizing light (versus positive and/or control with no information) decreased anxiety (in both studies) and increased empathy (Study 2), which then related to more positive behavioural intentions among people who reported high versus low levels of negative direct contact with outgroup members. In this article, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings concerning intergroup relations.