POPAO pt 2

Why are cross-group friendships powerful for reducing prejudice?

They build trust, create emotional bonds, and expand one’s circle of moral concern, leading youth to generalize warmth from a friend to the friend’s group.

Which group benefits most from cross-group friendships?

Majority-group youth, who often have fewer cross-group friendships and thus show larger attitude shifts.

What is the key mechanism through which cross-group friendship reduces prejudice?

Generalization of positive feelings from the individual friend to the entire outgroup.

Why is intergroup anxiety a barrier to contact?

Youth often fear rejection, feel uncertain about norms, and experience stress during cross-group interactions.

How does positive contact reduce intergroup anxiety?

It lowers fear of rejection, clarifies norms for interaction, and reduces physiological stress responses.

What is the sequential pattern linking anxiety reduction to deeper relationships?

Early positive contact → reduced anxiety → greater willingness for future, deeper cross-group interactions.

How does intergroup contact build empathy?

It increases perspective-taking and emotional concern for outgroup members.

For which group is empathy especially important to cultivate?

Historically advantaged groups, who may lack awareness of outgroup experiences.

What is the Pettigrew & Tropp (2008) sequential model?

Anxiety reduction → empathy → improved intergroup attitudes.

What is decategorization in intergroup contact?

Reducing the salience of group categories so youth see outgroup peers as individuals.

When is decategorization most effective?

Early stages of contact, when reducing tension and discomfort is crucial.

 What are examples of decategorization strategies?

Icebreakers, personal storytelling, shared hobbies.

Why must group identity remain visible for generalization to occur?

Without recognizing the friend as a group member, youth may think “She’s nice, but she’s not like the others,” preventing attitude change toward the whole group.

When should categorization be reintroduced?

After rapport and trust have been built.

What is recategorization?

Shifting from “us vs. them” to a shared, superordinate identity.

Which age group benefits most from recategorization strategies?

Older children and adolescents, who can grasp abstract group concepts

Examples of recategorization messages?

“We are all students at this school.” “We are all working on this community project.”

What is the four-step sequence Pettigrew proposes for optimal contact?

1. Decategorization → reduces anxiety

2. Personalization → builds trust

3. Recategorization → generalizes positive attitudes

4. Dual identity → acknowledges both commonality and difference

Why is the sequential model especially relevant for youth?

Because their cognitive capacities evolve with age, making different stages more or less effective at different developmental periods.