Planned Intergroup Contact Interventions

Planned Intergroup Contact Interventions

Planned Intergroup Contact Interventions are based on the theory that constructive and/or guided contact can improve intergroup relations. There are different types of contact and interventions, but they are organized to help individuals and societies cope with living in a conflict or living in the aftermath of conflict. It has been found, that intergroup contact can, given certain conditions, effectively reduce hostility and prejudice and create more positive attitudes between groups. For an Intergroup Contact Intervention to be successful, five primary conditions are identified: (1) equal status of both groups; (2) ongoing personal interaction between the groups; (3) cooperation during a situation of mutual dependence where both groups must work together towards a common goal; and (4) institutional support in which authorities and institutions agree about norms that support equality.

Example

Use in conflict management and peace building. In the cited study, Maoz, I. (2002), the researcher identifies an intergroup encounter between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel, which has the general goal of reducing hostility and increasing understanding between the two nationalities. In this example, the researchers ask how much does actual contact between groups occurs during Intergroup Contact Interventions. It has been found that in desegregated and ethnically mixed settings, contact within same ethnic group sis more frequent than intergroup contact and therefore, intergroup contact should not be assumed or taken for granted. The current study looked at 46 encounter programs that took place between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel during 1999-2000. These programs consisted of intergroup meetings facilitated by a Jewish and Arab facilitator that was conducted in the framework of educational and communal organizations. The programs were also targeted at different age groups and included various activities, such as social games, arts and dialogue. It was found that there is a need to increase the degree to which these encounters create involvement and must add more ways that participants can prepare for the interaction and help them overcome any concerns about the encounter. One example, uni-national preparation, is provided where members of one nationality meet separately with a facilitator of their own nationality prior to the encounter in order to prepare for the joint meeting.