Predictors and consequences of intergroup contact

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Core theme of this research project is the contact between members of different groups (intergroup contact). Two general research questions are at the basis of this project: First, predictors of direct intergroup contact will be examined. Second, the impact of the social context on intergroup contact effects will be analysed. The research project comprises four sub-projects. Sub-projects I and II are associated with the first research question, sub-projects III and IV with the second. In sub-project I, it will be tested whether indirect contact with members of an outgroup enhances the likelihood to come into direct contact with members of this outgroup. In sub-project II, psychological predictors of direct intergroup contact will be examined. Aim of sub-project III is to test whether social contexts, in which people have in general frequent intergroup contact, lead to positive intergroup attitudes over and above the effects of individual contact experiences with outgroup members. In sub-project IV, the impact of the social context on the strength of intergroup attitudes will be analysed. Data basis for all four projects are cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data from Germany and Northern Ireland. For data analysis, the appropriate and state-of-the-art multivariate methods will be used. In sub-projects I and II, cross-lagged models will be used, in sub-projects III and IV multilevel analysis will be applied.