Cross-group friendships, extended contact, and humanity meta-attributions

Research has consistently demonstrated that intergroup contact favors outgroup humanization. However, the relationship between contact and the humanity attributions, that ingroup members expect from the outgroup, has never been investigated. Intergroup relationships would actually be more harmonious if each group believes that its humanity traits are recognized by the outgroup. In a survey, the relationship between Northern and Southern Italians was considered. Participants were Northern university students. Direct and indirect cross-group friendships were measured (self-report measures). The outcomes, in the structural equation models, were the dimensions of mind attribution: agency and experience. Different mediators were tested: cognitive, normative, emotional. Findings showed that direct but not indirect friendships were related to the belief that the outgroup is able to understand ingroup's human traits. Key mediators of this relationship were the inclusion of the outgroup in the self mechanism and improved empathy toward the outgroup. Practical implications of findings are discussed.