Improving intergroup relationships between and outside the contact situation: The role of group representations and emotions of anxiety and empathy

In two studies, we tested the basic tenets of the common ingroup identity model (Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000). Our aim was to examine the processes by which contact leads to improved relations with both known and unknown outgroup members. The hypothesis was that group representations would act as mediators in the relationship between: a) contact and emotions felt for outgroup members encountered (Studies 1 and 2); b) contact and evaluation of outgroup members encountered (Study 2). We also hypothesized that the positive effects of contact would generalize to the whole outgroup through the mediation of emotions and evaluation felt for known outgroup members. To test these hypotheses, we carried out two studies in naturalistic contexts. InStudy 1, participants were employees (N = 243) of different organizations (hospitals and firms). In Study 2, participants were inhabitants of a small town of central Italy (N = 204). In both studies, respondents completed a questionnaire including measures of: cooperative contact; group representations (in Study 1, only the one-group representation was measured);emotions and evaluation of known and unknown outgroupmembers. The outgroup was that of immigrants. Findings from both studies supported the hypothesized double mediation pattern. Group representations mediated the relationship between cooperative contact and affect toward known outgroup members, which, in turn, produced more positive evaluations and emotions toward the whole outgroup. The theoretical and practical implications of results will be discussed.