The effect of imagined contact valence on adolescents’ and early adults’ stereotypes, emotions, and behavioral intentions toward ethnic groups

Bibliographic Data

ID12686271
AuthorsAndreea A Constantin (0000-0001-5896-8346, Department of Psychology and Centre for the Study of Migrations and Intercultural Relations (CEMyRI) University of Almería Almería Spain, corresponding author), Isabel Cuadrado (0000-0002-0946-2696, Department of Psychology and Centre for the Study of Migrations and Intercultural Relations (CEMyRI) University of Almería Almería Spain)
Year2021
Volume30
Issue3
Pages697-712
Publication date2021-02-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1467-9507 • E-ISSN: 0961-205X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sode.12510
OpenAlexW3128498177
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited43

Across two experimental studies, this research examined the effects of positive and negative imagined intergroup contact on adolescents’ (Study 1, N = 124) and early adults’ (Study 2, N = 169) stereotype content, emotions, and behavioral intentions toward two immigrant groups in Spain: Ecuadorians, a valued group, and Moroccans, a devalued group. The results showed that the imagined contact valence influenced only adolescents’ outgroup evaluations and only toward Moroccans, the devalued targeted group. Specifically, negative contact indirectly triggered passive harm tendencies through increased negative emotions toward Moroccans. Our findings support previous studies regarding the stronger effect of negative contact on attitudes toward devalued outgroups

Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Harm · Immigration · Ingroups and outgroups · Outgroup · Stereotype (UML · Valence (chemistry · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence