Brannon & Walton, 2013, Study 3: Freely choosing to connect and interact with a Mexican American student increased interest and positive attitudes toward Latinos among White and Asian undergaduates over six months
Reference:
Brannon, T. N., & Walton, G. M. (2013). Enacting cultural interests: How intergroup contact reduces prejudice by sparking interest in an out-group’s culture. Psychological Science, 24(10), 1947-1957.
Download PDFSummary:
White and Asian undergraduates had a positive interaction with a Mexican American student. When they (1) were led to feel socially connected to this student, disposing them to share her interests; and (2) had the opportunity to freely work with her to design a Mexican cultural product (instead of being required to do so), they showed reduced levels of implicit prejudice against Latinos. This was mediated by greater engagement in the Mexican cultural task. Moreover, in combination with participants in the treatment condition in Brannon & Walton, 2013 Study 2, they reported, an average of 6-months later, greater interest in talking with Mexican American peers and more positive attitudes toward Mexican immigrants.
Psychological Process:
What Desired Meaning is At Stake?
What is the Person Trying to Understand?
To See the Self as AdequateApproach to Desired Meaning
What about it?
Link Self-Integrity to a Behavior or Attitude to Motivate Positive ChangeHow?
Psychological Question Addressed
Does my behavior contradict an old attitude or belief?Does my behavior contradict an old attitude or belief?Psychological Question Addressed
Does my behavior contradict an old attitude or belief?Psychological Process 2:
Psychological Process 3:
Social Area:
Intergroup relationships
Intervention Technique:
Increasing commitment through action, counter-attitudinal behavior