A test of positive and negative extended contact among a Chinese minority with perceived ingroup norms and intergroup anxiety as mediators

This article is aimed to examine the effect of Uyghur’s (minority group) positive and negative extended contact with Han (majority group) within the background of China. One affective (intergroup anxiety) and two cognitive (perceived ingroup and outgroup norms) variables were tested as potential mediators. A sample of 875 Uyghur minority college students ranging in age from 17 to 25 years completed self-reported measures of direct contact, positive and negative extended contact, intergroup anxiety, perceptions of ingroup and outgroup norms, outgroup attitudes and contact intentions. Results revealed that both positive and negative extended contact were associated with outgroup attitudes and contact intentions, over and above the effect of direct contact. The effects of both forms of extended contact were mediated by intergroup anxiety, ingroup and outgroup norms. Notably, positive extended contact exerted larger effects than negative extended contact. This research highlights the significance of considering both positive and negative extended contact and the potential of extended contact as a means to ameliorate intergroup relations from the perspective of minority groups.