Cross-group friendship shapes positive intergroup attitudes more than casual contact does.

Evidence

Regarding types of contact, we now know that both the frequency and nature of direct contact is important for shaping intergroup relations, and that cross-group friendship is a particularly strong antecedent of positive intergroup relations (e.g., Paolini, Hewstone, Cairns, & Voci, 2004). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 556

Categorization

• XREF: Dovetails with the law-merchant and social-capital literature on repeated relationships deterring bias. — connects to: Racially inflected banter can coexist with genuine interracial friendship — Amit Singh, “Carnal conviviality” and the end of…, 70; Cross-group friendship is the most effective intergroup contact form for reconciliation. — Miles Hewstone and Joanne Hughes, Reconciliation in Northern Ireland: the…, 5; Cross-group friendships cause later intergroup trust, not the reverse. — Miles Hewstone and Joanne Hughes, Reconciliation in Northern Ireland: the…, 10 (+5 more)