Mere intergroup contact without equal status worsened racial prejudice

Evidence

Despite his optimism about the potential benefits of contact, Allport warned that superficial contact between members of different groups would, in fact, reinforce stereotypes, by failing to provide new information about each group, or via a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby cautious avoidance of intimacy is mutually interpreted as distrust or dislike, confirming initial suspicion. Thus he wrote, “the casual contact has left matters worse than before” (Allport, 1954/1979, p. 264). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1795 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Forced close proximity and shared goals can flatten perceived racial differences. — Amit Singh, “Carnal conviviality” and the end of…, 91; Frequent interracial contact alone did nothing to soften apartheid’s hierarchy. — David Theo Goldberg, The Threat of Race: Reflections on…, 1552; Unprepared intergroup contact can backfire and worsen polarization. (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• Superficial intergroup contact can actually worsen rather than reduce prejudice #corroborates (0.92) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1795