Join us for a Research Presentation on Intergroup Contact and Self-deprovincializations by Jessica Boin on Tuesday 14th May, 12-1pm

The Social and Organisational Psychology Research Group is proud of inviting you to join....

WHAT: a research presentation by Jessica Boin, University of Padova, Italy.

TITLE: Effects of positive and negative contact experiences: The role of intergroup emotions, deprovincialization and individual dispositions

WHEN: Tuesday 14th May, 2019, 12-1pm

WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; zoom linkZoom link:: https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

ABSTRACT: According to the contact hypothesis, positive encounters with outgroup members have the potential of reducing prejudice toward the whole outgroup (Allport, 1954). Research has widely demonstrated the effectiveness of contact in ameliorating intergroup relations (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006) and further investigations has shown that the relationship between positive contact and prejudice can be explained by a reduction in intergroup anxiety and an increasing in empathy and trust toward the outgroup members (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2008). Another promising, yet least studied, aspects of contact involves the construct of deprovincialization, proposed by Pettigrew (1997,1998) to denote a less ingroup-centric worldview, fostering a common sense of belonging and openness to other cultures, following intergroup encounters. Although there is evidence for the mediating role of emotions on the relationship between positive contact and prejudice, further investigation is needed concerning the different effects of positive and negative contact experiences, a full test of the deprovincialization hypothesis and the possible role of individual dispositions.
In 2 cross-sectional (Nstudy1=348; Nstudy2=307) and one longitudinal (N = 668) studies, we explored the relationship between positive and negative contact and various outgroup outcomes, the mediating role of intergroup emotions (i.e., anxiety, empathy and trust) and deprovincialization on this relationships and the role of individual differences relevant to intergroup relations (ideologies, personality, cognitive styles and “hypo-egoic” dispositions).

BIO: Jessica Boin is completing her PhD at the University of Padova (Italy), under the supervision of Prof. Alberto Voci and she is currently visiting the University of Newcastle under the supervision of AProf. Stefania Paolini. Her main research interests concern intergroup relations, and prejudice reduction. Her work aims to examine how and when intergroup contact reduces prejudice, in particular, the effects of positive and negative contact experiences on prejudice with a main focus on the role of individual differences and ideologies.