Salient categorization during intergroup contact can breed anxiety rather than reduce prejudice.

Evidence

Emphasizing categorization during contact, however, is not without its own dangers. Making categories salient risks exacerbating and reinforcing perceptions of group differences, which may result in anxiety, discomfort, and fear (Hewstone & Brown, 1986). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1811

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Greater similarity to the Other heightens rather than eases intergroup fear — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1386; Negative outgroup contact raises anxiety, which breeds hostility and contact avoidance. — Blake M. Riek, Eric W. Mania, and Samuel L. Gaertner, Intergroup Threat and Outgroup…, 47; Changing how people categorize others can reduce intergroup threat. — Blake M. Riek, Eric W. Mania, and Samuel L. Gaertner, Intergroup Threat and Outgroup…, 168