What is Intergroup contact theory?
Intergroup contact theory, proposed by Gordon Allport in 1954, holds that under the right conditions, direct contact between members of different social groups reduces prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination.
How it works
Allport identified four conditions for effective contact: equal status between groups, cooperation toward shared goals, institutional support, and opportunity for personal acquaintance. Pettigrew and Tropp’s (2006) meta-analysis of 515 studies confirmed that contact reduces prejudice across contexts, and that while Allport’s conditions enhance the effect, contact even without all conditions tends to reduce prejudice. The mechanism involves reducing anxiety about outgroup members, increasing empathy, and providing concrete counter-examples to stereotypes.
Applied example
A desegregated school where students from different racial backgrounds work together on cooperative classroom projects shows reduced prejudice compared to one where students share a building but never interact meaningfully. The contact must be structured to promote cooperation, not competition.
Why it matters
Intergroup contact theory provides the evidence base for integration policies, diversity programs, and cross-group dialogue initiatives, showing that contact works when designed properly.
