Direct and indirect contact to reduce stereotypes and prejudices. Theories, researches and ALLMEET experience

Although the Allport’s contact hypothesis (1954) to reduce stereotypes and prejudices has been validated by a wide number of experimental studies, often its application is not possible because it is very difficult to meet the outlined conditions. The extended contact and the imagined contact are new indirect contact strategies for promoting tolerance and more positive intergroup relations. The stimulation of positive mental interactions with an out-group member can elicit more favorable explicit and implicit attitudes, reduce stereotypes and prejudice, and enhance intentions to engage in future contact. Following this theoretic background, the paper reflects on the effects of the participation to the EACEA funded ALLMEET (Actions of Lifelong Learning addressing Multicultural Education and Tolerance in Russia) project on the group of the involved Russian and European researchers.