Moral purity as a mediator of the relationship between direct and extended contact and contact behavioral intentions

Intergroup contact and morality literature have generally been detached, although both of them are extremely relevant to prejudice and may be implicated in prejudice reduction. In order to inform initial evidence and understand more deeply the morality dimensions implied in prejudice reduction as a consequence of contact, we examined whether the effects of contact on behavioral intentions (and specifically, on contact intentions) toward homosexuals are driven by moral purity. In order to examine this hypothesis, we administered a questionnaire to 639 high-school students. As contact measures, we focused on cross-group friendships, that is a rather strong form of intergroup contact. In addition, we explored the effects of extended contact as an additional form of (indirect) contact. In order to provide a more conservative test of hypotheses, we included as additional potential mediators moral autonomy and community. Consistent with predictions, results revealed that both forms of contact were associated with increased moral purity, which in turn mediated their effects on intentions to have contact with homosexuals. We discuss the importance of combining research on intergroup contact with morality research.