Intergroup Contact: Fostering Empathy and Political Shifts in Adult Immigrants

• In Event: Poster Session: Intergroup Dynamics and Tolerance & Representation and Electoral Systems
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Intergroup Dynamics and Tolerance

Abstract

Group Empathy Theory (GET) posits that fostering empathy within social ingroups towards outgroups can mitigate reactions to existential threats, counteract ingroup self-interest, diminish intergroup conflict, enhance opposition to punitive politics, and reinforce support for civil rights protections. The ability to empathize with individuals from diverse racial/ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, and other backgrounds is a strong predisposition in politics, fostering cooperation across social divisions. While existing evidence predominantly stems from retrospective and cross-sectional studies suggesting early childhood as a critical period for group empathy development, the intricacies of this process remain incompletely understood.

This study aims to broaden our comprehension of group empathy development during adulthood by emphasizing the pivotal role of intergroup contact. Existing literature suggests that group empathy may be cultivated through such contact, underscoring its significance in shaping future experiences with outgroups. I contend that both the quantity and quality of intergroup contact contribute to adult ingroup members framing their interactions within frameworks of shared interests and common humanity, facilitating the development of group empathy.

Furthermore, I propose that intergroup contact, leading to the development of group empathy, engenders enduring changes in intergroup attitudes and behaviors. To empirically examine this theory, a field experiment was conducted wherein both the quantity and quality of a contact intervention were manipulated within a non-competitive environment. The experiment involves an 8-week citizenship online training program conducted in collaboration with immigrant-serving organizations. Results indicate that intergroup contact not only facilitated the development of group empathy among immigrant adults but also significantly influenced political attitudes and behaviors towards outgroups. Importantly, these effects persist for at least one month post-study completion, highlighting the lasting impact of intergroup contact on intergroup relations.

Author

• Jair Moreira, University of Pennsylvania