Need satisfaction in intergroup contact

A multinational study of pathways toward social change

Bibliographic Data

ID6204037
AuthorsTabea Hässler (0000-0002-9371-2423, University of Zurich, corresponding author), Johannes Ullrich (0000-0002-0471-7004, University of Zurich), Simone Sebben (0000-0002-8524-9790, University of Zurich), Nurit Shnabel (0000-0002-8113-1242, Tel Aviv University), Michelle Bernardino (0000-0001-6494-755X, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Daniel Valdenegro (0000-0003-3695-0123, University of Leeds), Roberto González (0000-0002-1824-6215, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Emilio Paolo Visintin (0000-0003-2250-3533, University of Ferrara), Linda R Tropp (0000-0003-0203-7846, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Ruth K Ditlmann (0000-0002-1573-4993, Hertie School), Dominic Abrams (0000-0002-2113-4572, University of Kent), Anna Lisa Aydin (0000-0001-9733-6907, Goethe University Frankfurt), Adrienne Pereira (0000-0003-1397-1941, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology), Hema Preya Selvanathan (0000-0002-6917-0951, The University of Queensland), Jorina Von Zimmermann (0000-0001-5406-9968, University College London), Nóra Anna Lantos (0000-0003-2056-1027, Eötvös Loránd University), Mario Sainz (0000-0002-2048-5872, Universidad de Granada), Andreas Glenz (0000-0002-5601-6218, University of Zurich), Ágnes Kende (0000-0001-5148-0145, Eötvös Loránd University), Hana Oberpfalzerová (0000-0002-2058-3245, Charles University), M Bilewicz (0000-0001-5027-1691, University of Warsaw), Marija Brankovic (0000-0001-9152-363X, Singidunum University), Masi Noor (0000-0002-4955-6793, Keele University), Michael Pasek (0000-0003-1393-1149, New School), Stephen C Wright (0000-0002-8071-8885, Simon Fraser University), Iris Žeželj (0000-0002-9527-1406, University of Belgrade), Olga Kuzawinska (0000-0001-9359-3260, University of Warsaw), Edona Maloku (0000-0001-5961-8671, Rochester Institute of Technology Kosovo), Sabine Otten (0000-0001-5369-7241, University of Groningen), Pelin Gul (0000-0002-1856-2744, University of Twente), Orly Bareket (0000-0003-3464-0893, Tel Aviv University), Dinka Corkalo Biruski (0000-0002-2954-4349, University of Zagreb), Luiza Mugnol Ugarte (0000-0003-0953-1900, D’Or Institute for Research and Education), Evgeny Osin (0000-0003-3330-5647, National Research University Higher School of Economics), Roberto Baiocco (0000-0002-6372-3762, Sapienza University of Rome), James Edward Cook (0000-0003-4907-5719, Pennsylvania State University), Maneeza Dawood (Columbia University), Lisa Droogendyk (0000-0001-6046-8172), Angélica Herrera Loyo (ETH Zurich), Margareta Jelić (0000-0002-2478-0756, University of Zagreb), Kaltrina Kelmendi (0000-0002-6619-1415, University of Prishtina), Jessica Pistella (0000-0002-4133-0503, Sapienza University of Rome)
Year2022
Volume122
Issue4
Pages634-658
Publication date2022-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/pspi0000365
PMID34138605
OpenAlexW3155183205
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited92

What role does intergroup contact play in promoting support for social change toward greater social equality? Drawing on the needs-based model of reconciliation, we theorized that when inequality between groups is perceived as illegitimate, disadvantaged group members will experience a need for empowerment and advantaged group members a need for acceptance. When intergroup contact satisfies each group's needs, it should result in more mutual support for social change. Using four sets of survey data collected through the Zurich Intergroup Project in 23 countries, we tested several preregistered predictions, derived from the above reasoning, across a large variety of operationalizations. Two studies of disadvantaged groups (Ns = 689 ethnic minority members in Study 1 and 3,382 sexual/gender minorities in Study 2) support the hypothesis that, after accounting for the effects of intergroup contact and perceived illegitimacy, satisfying the need for empowerment (but not acceptance) during contact is positively related to support for social change. Two studies with advantaged groups (Ns = 2,937 ethnic majority members in Study 3 and 4,203 cis-heterosexual individuals in Study 4) showed that, after accounting for illegitimacy and intergroup contact, satisfying the need for acceptance (but also empowerment) is positively related to support for social change. Overall, findings suggest that intergroup contact is compatible with efforts to promote social change when group-specific needs are met. Thus, to encourage support for social change among both disadvantaged and advantaged group members, it is essential that, besides promoting mutual acceptance, intergroup contact interventions also give voice to and empower members of disadvantaged groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Contact hypothesis · Developmental psychology · Disadvantaged · Empowerment · Ethnic group · Political science · Prejudice (legal term) · Psychological intervention · Social change · Social support · Sociology · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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