Learning accurate information about an outgroup reduces prejudice toward it

Evidence

Nonetheless, new information about an outgroup can improve attitudes. Stephan & Stephan (1984) found that contact allowed Anglo students to learn more about Chicano culture that in turn led to more positive attitudes toward Chicano classmates. “Ignorance,” they assert, “promotes prejudice…” (Stephan & Stephan 1984, p. 238). Other studies with the cultural assimilator technique of Triandis (1994) provide further evidence that learning about an outgroup can improve intergroup attitudes and stereotypes (Gardiner 1972, Weldon et al 1975). — Thomas F. Pettigrew, Intergroup Contact Theory, 44

Categorization

• CANDY: ‘Ignorance promotes prejudice’ is a crisp, quotable line to deploy in conversation.