Intergroup contact and pluralistic ignorance.
The present work examined the relationship between people's own interpretations of why they avoid intergroup contact and their interpretations of why out-groups avoid intergroup contact. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that Whites and Blacks would like to have more contact with the out-group but believe the out-group does not want to have contact with them. Studies 3-5 show that Whites and Blacks make divergent explanations about their own and their potential out-group partner's failure to initiate contact. Specifically, individuals explained their own inaction in terms of their fear of being rejected because of their race but attributed the out-group members' inaction to their lack of interest. Study 6 examined the behavioral consequences of this self-other bias. Finally, Study 7 applied theoretical work on the extended contact hypothesis to explore a means to reduce this self- other bias. The implications of these studies for improving intergroup interactions are discussed.
Shelton
J Nicole
JN
Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. nshelton@princeton.edu
Richeson
Jennifer A
JA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology