Testing contact strategies in working contexts

In the present study, we tested the effectiveness of certain contact modes to improve the relationships between Italians and immigrants. In particular, the intergroup contact theory (Brown and Hewstone, 2005), the common ingroup identity model (Gaertner and Dovidio, 2000), the dual identity model (Gaertner et al., 2000) were evaluated. A questionnaire was used. Participants, belonging to the Italian group, were workers of firms in a Northern region. We hypothesized that the salience of a common identity would be more effective in improving the relationships with immigrants, met at work, than the other contact modes. Generalization of contact effects to the wider category of immigrants would be stronger when dual identity, rather than common identity or two-groups representation, was salient. Results supported the prediction concerning the effectiveness of common ingroup identity salience, though we did not find the expected moderation effects. Practical and theoretical implications of results are discussed.